Optimization of a 1,4,7-Triazacyclononane-1,4-diacetic acid (NODA) Derivative Radiofluorination by Al F Complexation Using a Design of Experiments Approach.

Fluorine-18 ( F) is the most favorable positron emitter for radiolabeling Positron Emission Tomography (PET) probes. However, conventional F labeling through covalent C-F bond formation is challenging, involving multiple steps and stringent conditions unsuitable for sensitive biomolecular probes whose integrity may be altered. Over the past decade, an elegant new approach has been developed involving the coordination of an aluminum fluoride {Al F} species in aqueous media at a late-stage of the synthetic process.