Use of a microwave cavity to reduce reaction times in radiolabelling with [11C]cyanide

Abstract
Advantages of using a microwave cavity over thermal treatment are demonstrated for radiolabelling reactions with [11C]cyanide. For comparison purposes, two literature syntheses involving typical cyanide chemistry at rather vigorous conditions were investigated: cyano‐de‐halogenation with subsequent hydrolysis of the nitrile and the Bücher‐Strecker synthesis of an aromatic amino acid. Comparable yields were obtained with intensities < 100 W in reaction times that were 1/15 to 1/20th those used in thermal methods. Even rates of slower nucleophilic substitutions could be increased by manipulating the polarity of the medium. For the short‐lived radionuclide carbon‐11, such time gains result in radioactivity gains at the end‐of‐synthesis on the order of 70‐100%.

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