Zinc-Mediated Radiosynthesis of Unprotected Fluorine-18 Labelled α-Tertiary Amides

Abstract

This report describes the development of a Zn(OTf)2-mediated method for converting α-tertiary haloamides to the corresponding fluorine-18 labelled α-tertiary fluoroamides with no-carrier-added [18F]tetramethylammonium fluoride. 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene is an essential additive for achieving high radiochemical conversion. Under the optimised conditions, radiofluorination proceeds at sterically hindered tertiary sites in high radiochemical conversions, yields, and purities. This method has been successfully automated and applied to access >200 mCi (>7.4 GBq) of several model radiofluorides. Mechanistic studies led to the development of a new, nucleophilic C−H radiofluorination process using N-sulphonyloxyamide substrates.