Facile and Efficient Synthesis of [18F]Fluoromisonidazole Using Novel 2-Nitroimidazole Derivatives

[18F]Fluoromisonidazole ([18F]FMISO) is a hypoxia imaging marker utilized in positron emission tomography. Novel FMISO precursors were prepared from a commercially available material, and several reaction factors that affect synthesis of [18F]FMISO were examined to achieve a higher fluorination yield. [18F]FMISO was obtained from radiosynthesis, followed by the hydrolysis of protecting groups with HCl. New 2-nitroimidazole precursor showed a higher [18F]fluorination and a higher synthetic yield. This result provided alternative guidelines for the preparation of hypoxia imaging marker.