18F‐Labeling Chemistry in Aqueous Media

Abstract

Abstract18F‐Labeled molecular tracers and subsequent positron emission tomography are indispensable molecular imaging tools in medical diagnosis and research. The preparation of 18F‐labeled molecular tracers involves critical steps such as the 18F‐labeling reaction, work‐up, and 18F‐product purification, which are governed by 18F‐labeling chemistry. Since direct incorporation of 18F in aqueous media exhibits many advantages in practice, this Review summarizes the existing 18F‐labeling methods in aqueous media, which are sorted by atoms forming chemical covalent bonds with F. The Review is focused on the respective reaction mechanism, the water effect and the applications of these methods for the development of 18F‐radiopharmaceuticals. The research progress on aqueous nucleophilic labeling methods using [18F]F− as the 18F source has been mainly discussed.