Abstract

Flowing Safely: Synthesis with Hazardous Chemicals

Thomas Wirth, Professor, Cardiff University

Safe chemistry with hazardous compounds is in the focus of our current research. The generation and use of diazo derivatives in flow systems has led to advances important for pharmaceutical industries. The safety profile of the diazo group transfer was determined including kinetic studies in batch and in flow using in-line IR analysis. A multi-step process of diazo group transfer, extraction, separation and subsequent diazo decomposition combined with multiple X-H insertion reactions was established. The synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals by the rapid, flow chemistry-assisted incorporation of [18F]-fluoride is demonstrating further advances in the generation of important PET radiotracers such as [18F]-FDG (using segmented flow in microreactors) and [18F]-DOPA (using newly developed diaryl iodonium precursors).