Selective synthesis of [2-(11)C]2-iodopropane and [1-(11)C]iodoethane using the loop method by reacting methylmagnesium bromide with [11C]carbon dioxide.

[2-(11)C]2-iodopropane ([2-(11)C]i-PrI) and [1-(11)C]iodoethane ([1-(11)C]EtI) were selectively synthesized using the loop method by reacting methylmagnesium bromide (MeMgBr) with [11C]carbon oxide ([11C]CO2), followed by treatment with LiAlH4 and then HI. The loop method, in which a low amount of MeMgBr was used for the Grignard reaction, diminished the formation of non-radioactive iodomethane (MeI) and improved the specific activity of [2-(11)C]i-PrI and [1-(11)C]EtI. By examining the reaction temperature and time of MeMgBr with [11C]CO2 in the loop, we determined the optimal respective conditions of forming [2-(11)C]i-PrI and [1-(11)C]EtI. Moreover, [2-(11)C]i-PrI and [1-(11)C]EtI could be simultaneously synthesized at a designated ratio in one production run. These substances were obtained by gas chromatographic purification as two radiochemically pure products. All the processes from the production of [11C]CO2 to the purification of [11C]RI were automated. When we started from about 37 GBq of [11C]CO2, 3.9-5.3 GBq of [1-(11)C]EtI or 3.7-4.4 GBq of [2-(11)C]i-PrI was obtained with a specific activity of 37-99 GBq/micromol at EOS (n=3). This amount of radioactivity is sufficient for the synthesis of [11C]radioligands.