Synthesis of 17F labeled fluoroalkanes

Abstract

Fluoroalkanes such as fluoromethane labeled with 17 F are produced by contacting 17 F labeled F 2 with alkanes, preferably methane, substituted or unsubstituted alkenes, or substituted or unsubstituted alkynes in the presence of a metal oxide catalyst, preferably a silver oxide catalyst, to produce the 17 F labeled fluoroalkane. The 17 F may be produced by irradiating 20 Ne with protons, preferably having an energy of about 11 MeV and produced by a cyclotron. The 17 F labeled fluoromethane or fluoroalkanes may be produced continuously. A method for determining the location of an 17 F labeled tracer includes generating an 17 F labeled fluoroalkane, administering the 17 F labeled fluoroalkane to a test subject, and scanning the test subject with a radiosensitive detector such as a positron emission tomography scanner.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaseous composition, comprising  17 F labeled fluoromethane and having an equilibrium activity of greater than or about 20 mCi.  
     
     
         2 . The gaseous composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the equilibrium activity is greater than or about 40 mCi.  
     
     
         3 . The gaseous composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the equilibrium activity is greater than or about 70 mCi.  
     
     
         4 . The gaseous composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising neon.