Production of 11C-methyl iodide

PCT No. PCT/SE95/01247 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 21, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 21, 1997 PCT Filed Oct. 20, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/15086 PCT Pub. Date May 23, 1996The present invention discloses a method and an apparatus for high yield production of 11C-methyl iodide by selectively monohalogenating 11C-methane, whereby the method is comprising a first step of introducing 11CH4 into an apparatus containing a circulation system comprising a number of connected circulation members (1-7), and the circulation system is further comprising a number of valves (V114 V5) and at least one pump (8) for controlling the circulation. The method further comprises a second step of recirculation of 11CH4 and introduction of iodine vapor into the circulating gas stream passed through a heated reaction chamber (3) within the apparatus having the circulation system during a predefined time period during continuous removal of formed 11CH3I by means of a second trap (7), and a third step of releasing after the predefined time period the produced 11C-methyl iodide for further processing by heating the second trap (7) containing the produced 11CH3I while leading a stream of inert gas through the second trap, whereby this second trap (7) will act as a small size chromatograph purifying the desired 11CH3I.