Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Radiopharmaceuticals
Riya Middha, Noopur Srivastava, Mridula Guin
Radiopharmaceuticals, combining biologically active molecules with radionuclides, are critical tools in diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy. However, the synthesis of these compounds is challenged by the extremely short half-lives of key radionuclides such as Carbon-11 and Fluorine-18, necessitating ultra-rapid, high-yielding, and reproducible synthetic methods. Conventional heating techniques often result in protracted reaction times, low yields, and product degradation. Microwave-assisted synthesis (MAS) has emerged as a powerful alternative, offering rapid volumetric heating through dipolar polarization and ionic conduction. This accelerates reaction kinetics, enhances radiochemical yields and purity, and minimizes thermal decomposition. MAS enables better reproducibility, automation compatibility, and high-throughput workflows—key advantages in radiopharmaceutical production. This chapter explores the mechanistic foundations, technological innovations, regulatory considerations, and clinical applications of MAS in radiochemistry. It demonstrates how MAS is reshaping radiopharmaceutical development, offering a scalable and efficient approach aligned with the demands of modern nuclear medicine.
Keywords
Radiopharmaceuticals, Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, Radiolabeling, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Radionuclides, Green Chemistry, [18F]Fluoride, [11C]Carbon, [99mTc]Technetium, [68Ga]Gallium, Dipolar Polarization
Published online 4/5/2026, 42 pages
Citation: Riya Middha, Noopur Srivastava, Mridula Guin, Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Radiopharmaceuticals, Materials Research Foundations, Vol. 189, pp 268-309, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904039-9
Part of the book on Microwave-Assisted Synthesis
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