Ultrafast Photoclick Reaction for Selective <sup>18</sup>F-Positron Emission Tomography Tracer Synthesis in Flow
Youxin Fu, Hugo Helbert, Nadja A. Simeth, Stefano Crespi, G. B. Spoelstra, Jan Maarten van Dijl, Marleen van Oosten, Luiza Reali Nazario, Dion van der Born, Gert Luurtsema, Wiktor Szymański, Philip H. Elsinga, Ben L. Feringa
Abstract
The development of very fast, clean, and selective methods for indirect labeling in PET tracer synthesis is an ongoing challenge. Here we present the development of an ultrafast photoclick method for the synthesis of short-lived 18 F-PET tracers based on the photocycloaddition reaction of 9,10-phenanthrenequinones with electron-rich alkenes. The respective precursors are synthetically easily accessible and can be functionalized with various target groups. Using a flow photo-microreactor, the photoclick reaction can be performed in 60 s, and clinically relevant tracers for prostate cancer and bacterial infection imaging were prepared to demonstrate practicality of the method.