Fluorine-18 labeling of proteins.

Two fluorine-18-labeled reagents, methyl 3-[18F]fluoro-5-nitrobenzimidate and 4-[18F]fluorophenacyl bromide, have been prepared for covalent attachment of fluorine-18 to proteins. Both reagents can be prepared in moderate yields (30-50%, EOB) in synthesis times of 50-70 min. Reaction of these reagents with proteins (human serum albumin, human fibrinogen, and human immunoglobulin A) is pH independent, protein concentration dependent, and takes 5-60 min at mild pH (8.0) and temperature (25-37 degrees C), in yields up to 95% (corrected). The 18F-labeled proteins are purified by size exclusion chromatography.