Fully automated synthesis module for the high yield one-pot preparation of 6-[ [formula omitted]]fluoro- l-DOPA

A fully automated one-pot synthesis of 6-[ 18 F ]fluoro- l-DOPA, an important radiopharmaceutical for studies on the presynaptic dopamine metabolism with positron emission tomography, is described. 6-[ 18 F ]Fluoro- l-DOPA was prepared in high radiochemical yield (33±4%, c.f.d.) and radiochemical purity (>99%) in 45 min synthesis time by a fluorodestannylation reaction, followed by acidic removal of the protecting groups. CFCl 3 was found to be a better solvent for the fluorodestannylation reaction than CHCl 3 or acetonitrile. In CFCl 3, [ 18 F ]F 2 was a superior fluorinating agent over [ 18 F ]acetyl hypofluorite.