Chemical Considerations in the Accelerator Production of N-13: N-13-Nitrosourea Preparation

The preparation of N-13-nitrosoureas from N-13 produced by a Van de Graaff accelerator and a cyclotron are described. Consideration is given to the characteristics of the accelerator which can affect the chemical form of the isotope produced. When the isotope is to be used in chemical synthesis, its initial chemical form dictates the chemical manipulations necessary to obtain the desired final product. Although different chemical precursors can be used to synthesize a common product, the initial chemical form influences the chemical and radiochemical yields, product specific activity, and purity.