RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Iodonium Ylide–Mediated Radiofluorination of 18F-FPEB and Validation for Human Use JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 489 OP 492 DO 10.2967/jnumed.114.151332 VO 56 IS 3 A1 Nickeisha A. Stephenson A1 Jason P. Holland A1 Alina Kassenbrock A1 Daniel L. Yokell A1 Eli Livni A1 Steven H. Liang A1 Neil Vasdev YR 2015 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/56/3/489.abstract AB Translation of new methodologies for labeling nonactivated aromatic molecules with 18F remains a challenge. Here, we report a one-step, regioselective, metal-free 18F-labeling method that uses a hypervalent iodonium(III) ylide precursor, to prepare the radiopharmaceutical 18F-3-fluoro-5-[(pyridin-3-yl)ethynyl]benzonitrile (18F-FPEB). Methods: Automated radiosynthesis of 18F-FPEB was achieved by reaction of the ylide precursor (4 mg) with 18F-Et4NF in dimethylformamide at 80°C for 5 min and formulated for injection within 1 h. Results: 18F-FPEB was synthesized in 20% ± 5% (n = 3) uncorrected radiochemical yields relative to 18F-fluoride, with specific activities of 666 ± 51.8 GBq (18 ± 1.4 Ci)/μmol at the end of synthesis and was validated for human use. Conclusion: Radiofluorination of iodonium (III) ylides proved to be an efficient radiosynthetic strategy for synthesis of 18F-labeled radiopharmaceuticals.