Fully automated synthesis of 18F-fluorocholine derivatives using a Dose-On-Demand microfluidic approach

Choline tracers and their fluorinated analogues are experiencing increased attention, due to successful reports in the field of prostate cancer imaging with PET [1,2]. In particular, molecules such as 18F-fluoromethyl, 18F-fluoroethyl and 18F-fluoropropyl choline (respectively FMC, FEC and FPC) are important targets in radiopharmaceutical research. We developed a production platform based on microfluidics that allows to obtain these fluorocholine derivatives with minimum interaction with the process but keeping maximum flexibility on the productivity [3]. We report here the fully automation of the purification process, originally performed with a remotely operated manual syringe.