Fully automated synthesis module for the high yield one-pot preparation of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA

A fully automated one-pot synthesis of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA, an important radiopharmaceutical for studies on the presynaptic dopamine metabolism with positron emission tomography, is described. 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-DOPA was prepared in high radiochemical yield (33±4%, c.f.d.) and radiochemical purity (>99%) in 45 min synthesis time by a fluorodestannylation reaction, followed by acidic removal of the protecting groups. CFCl3 was found to be a better solvent for the fluorodestannylation reaction than CHCl3 or acetonitrile. In CFCl3, [18F]F2 was a superior fluorinating agent over [18F]acetyl hypofluorite.