Synthesis of 18F-labeled 6- and 7-fluoropalmitic acids

In order to investigate the uptake characteristics of palmitic (hexadecanoic) acid labeled with 18F at positions within the alkyl chain, [18F]6- and 7-fluoropalmitates were synthesized. A precursor synthesis of several steps was followed by no-carrier-added [18F] fluoride displacement of a methanesulfonate group and cleavage of the fatty acid benzyl ester. Preliminary myocardial uptake characteristics of the labeled compounds in rats were not markedly different from those of unsubstituted 11C labeled palmitic acid.