Synthesis of ¹⁸F‐labelled biphenyls via SUZUKI cross‐coupling with 4‐[¹⁸F]fluoroiodobenzene

The S UZUKI reaction of organoboron compounds with 4‐[ 18 F]fluoroiodobenzene has been developed as a novel radiolabelling technique in 18 F chemistry. The cross‐coupling reaction of p ‐tolylboronic acid with 4‐[ 18 F]fluoroiodobenzene was used to screen different palladium complexes, bases and solvents. Optimized reaction conditions (Pd 2 (dba) 3 , Cs 2 CO 3 , acetonitrile, 60°C for 5 min) were further applied to the synthesis of various 18 F‐labelled biphenyls bearing different functional groups. The reaction proceeded in excellent radiochemical yields of up to 94% within 5 min while showing good compatibility to many functional groups.