Cu(i)-mediated 18F-trifluoromethylation of arenes: Rapid synthesis of 18F-labeled trifluoromethyl arenes

Abstract

This report is concerned with an efficient, Cu^I-mediated method for the radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]trifluoromethyl arenes, abundant motifs in small molecule drug candidates and potential radiotracers for positron emission tomography. Three ¹⁸F-labelled radiotracer candidates were synthesised from [¹⁸F]fluoride ions as proof of principle. The new protocol is widely applicable for the synthesis of novel radiotracers in high radiochemical yields.