Synthesis of [18F]-Fluoroethylfenoterol for imaging β2 receptor status in lung in vivo

5-(-{2-[4-(2-[18F]Fluoroethoxy)-phenyl]-l-methyl-ethylamino}-l-hydroxy-ethyl)-benzene-1, 3-diol ([18F]fluoroethylfenoterol) was synthesised from 4-(2-{benzyl-[2-(3,5-bis-benzyloxy-phenyl)-2-hydroxy-ethyl]-amino}-propyl)-phenol using 2-[18F]fluoroethyltosylate (92% RCY) followed by reductive cleavage of the benzyl protecting groups. Preliminary in vitro tests showed [19F]fluoroethylfenoterol to be as potent in relaxation of lung tissue as fenoterol itself.