Abstract
The radiofluorination of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) phosphorus(v) fluoride adducts has been investigated. The results show that the IMe-PF(5) derivative (IMe = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) undergoes a Lewis acid promoted (18)F-(19)F isotopic exchange. The resulting radiofluorinated probe is remarkably resistant to hydrolysis both in vitro as well as in vivo.