[18F]-Fluoride capture and release: azeotropic drying free nucleophilic aromatic radiofluorination assisted by a phosphonium borane.

[18F]-Fluoride ready for aromatic nucleophilic substitution was prepared according to a simple process including trapping of aqueous [18F]-fluoride on a cartridge pre-loaded with the phosphonium borane [(Ph2MeP)C6H4(BMes2)]+, then releasing by elution of TBACN in dry acetonitrile. Subsequent radiofluorination was successfully applied to a model reaction and to the radiosynthesis of [18F]-setoperone.