Fluorine-18
4226265
224104470
2008-07-07T09:38:01Z
58.110.203.97
{{Infobox isotope|
background = #eee|
text_color = |
isotope_name = Fluorine-18|
isotope_filename = |
alternate_names = Fluorine-18|
mass_number = 18|
symbol = F|
num_neutrons = 9|
num_protons = 9|
abundance = [[Radioisotope]]|
halflife = 109.771(20) [[minute|min]]|
decay_mode1 = [[Positron emission]]|
decay_energy1 = 1.656|
decay_product = Oxygen-18|
decay_symbol = Oxygen|
decay_mass = 18|
mass = 18.0009380(6)|
spin = 1+|
excess_energy = 873.431|
error1 = 0.593|
binding_energy = 137369.199|
error2 = 0.593|
}}
'''Fluorine-18''' is a [[fluorine]] radioisotope which is an important source of [[positron]]s. It has a mass of 18.0009380(6) u and its [[half-life]] is 109.771(20) minutes.
Fluorine-18 is an important isotope in the [[radiopharmaceutical]] industry, and is primarily synthesized into [[fluorodeoxyglucose]] (FDG) for use in [[positron emission tomography]] (PET scans). It is substituted for [[hydroxyl]] and used as a tracer in the scan. Its significance is due to both its short half-life and the emission of positrons when decaying. In the radiopharmaceutical industry, it is made using either a [[cyclotron]] or [[linear particle accelerator]] to bombard a target, usually of pure or enriched [[oxygen-18]]-water <ref>Fowler J. S. and Wolf A. P. (1982) The synthesis of carbon-11, fluorine-18 and nitrogen-13 labeled radiotracers for biomedical applications. Nucl. Sci. Ser. Natl Acad. Sci. Natl Res. Council Monogr. 1982.</ref> with high energy [[protons]] (typically ~18 MeV). Fluorine-18 is often substituted for hydroxyl due to similar [[steric]] and [[electrostatic]] properties. This may however be problematic in certain applications due to possible changes in molecule [[polarity]].
[[Category:Fluorine]]
[[Category:Isotopes]]
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