Synthesis procedure for routine production of 2-[18F]fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2-[18F]F-A-85380)

2-[18F]Fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2-[18F]F-A-85380) was among the first subtype selective radioligands to visualise the in vivo distribution of α4β2-containing neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in human brain. We developed a one-pot synthesis for the preparation of 2-[18F]F-A-85380 in a commercially available TRACERlab FXF−N synthesis module. The synthesis comprises a nucleophilic substitution followed by hydrolysis of a t-butyloxycarbonyl (BOC)-protected intermediate. After formulation for intravenous application up to 20 GBq 2-[18F]F-A-85380 were produced from a starting activity of 100 GBq [18F]fluoride in 60 min with a specific activity of about 4·105 GBq/mmol and a mean radiochemical purity of more than 99%.