Semi-remote production of Br-76 and preparation of high specific activity radiobrominated pharmaceuticals for PET studies

The PET radionuclide 7 6 Br (t 1 / 2 = 16.2 h) can be easily produced utilizing the nuclear reaction As( 3 He, 2n) 7 6 Br. We use high-purity arsenic targets and isolate radioactive bromide by chromic acid oxidation followed by simple distillation of [ 7 6 Br] hydrogen bromide using a semi-remote apparatus. Use of reagents with little or no carrier bromine yields high specific activity radiobrominated pharmaceuticals prepared from the distilled [ 7 6 Br] hydrogen bromide.