Carbon-11 Labelling Chemistry Based upon [^11C]Methyl Iodide

Radiochemistry with the short-lived positron emitter carbon-11 (t_1/2 = 20.38 min) represents special challenges in terms of synthesis time and the labelling techniques. The recent developments in carbon-11 radiochemistry have steadily expanded the number of carbon-11 labelled compounds. The review wants to address selected chemical and technical aspects of carbon-11 chemistry based on the readily available labelling precursors [¹¹C]methyl iodide and, to some lower extent, [¹¹C]methyl triflate. Special emphasis is attributed to heteroatom methylation reactions and ¹¹C-C bond formations.