High-pressure, compact, modular radiosynthesizer for production of positron emitting biomarkers

•A compact, low-cost radiosynthesis module with high-pressure capability was developed.•Simple robotics enable removal of tubing from reaction vessel and replacement with a “stopper”.•This exchange enables reactions at high pressures without loss of solvent or product.•Multiple modules can be integrated into a unified system to perform multi-pot syntheses.•2'-Deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-1-β-arabinofuranosyl-uracil and -cytosine analogs are demonstrated.

A robust, modular, semi-automated synthesis unit useful for conducting radiochemical reactions under pressurized conditions (up to ∼200 psi [1.4 MPa]) for the production of PET biomarkers has been developed. This compact unit (7.6 cm×33.0 cm×58.4 cm) is capable of performing any single step reaction that is generally encountered in radiochemical syntheses, and multiple units can be combined for more complex syntheses. The versatility of a 3-unit system is exemplified by reliably conducting the multi-step syntheses of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-1-β-arabinofuranosyl-uracil and -cytosine derivatives, which involve corrosive and moisture sensitive reagents under pressurized conditions.