Synthesis of PET Radiopharmaceuticals

This chapter gives a description of synthesis and characteristics of different PET radiopharmaceuticals that are clinically used and also those that have potential for human use. 18F-, 11C-, 13N-, and 18O-labeled compounds are described in detail and some structures are illustrated. A description of an automated synthesis box used for PET radiopharmaceuticals along with a schematic diagram is presented. PET radiopharmaceuticals must be highly purified for patient administration, and it is accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography at the end of synthesis. Prior to release for human use, PET radiopharmaceuticals undergo stringent quality control tests following FDA and USP recommendations, which include radiochemical yield, radiochemical purity, sterility and endotoxin tests, and many others, which are briefly described.