Fluorination of aromatic compounds from 1-aryl-3,3-dimethyltriazenes and fluoride anions in acidic medium: 1. A model for 18F labelling

Decomposition of 1-aryl-3,3-dialkyltriazenes by strong and non-nucleophilic acids (CF3SO3H, H2SO4) can be achieved at 90°C in carbon tetrachloride, in the presence of sub-stoichiometric amounts of fluoride anions. Yields of fluoroarenes up to 39% (versus F−) can be reached under these conditions, within 15–30 min and without contamination of the fluorinated compounds by inseparable by-products. Such conditions and results enable an adaptation to radiofluorination with 18F−.