Syntheses of novelN-([18F]fluoroalkyl)-N-nitroso-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamides and decomposition studies of corresponding19F- and bromo-analogues: potential new compounds for the18F-labelling of radiopharmaceuticals

N-([ 18 F]fluoroalkyl)-N-nitroso-4-methyl-benzensulfonamides [n-alkyl = (-CH 2 ) [ 18,19 F]F, n=2-4)] were synthesized in radiochemical yields ranging from 75-90% to provide new secondary labelling precursors for the syntheses of 18 F-labelled compounds. Preliminary decomposition studies utilizing the corresponding non-radioactive 19 F-compounds as well as the bromo containing analogous compounds were performed to evaluate their stability regarding temperature and basicity of the labelling medium. Furthermore, initial difficulties in labelling these compounds led to the development of a modified labelling procedure applying nearly solvent-free conditions. Extensive decomposition experiments…