Cross-linked polyethylene glycol beads to separate 99mTc-pertechnetate from low-specific-activity molybdenum

Abstract

We report a kit-based approach for the purification of sodium pertechnetate ((99m)TcO4 (-)) from solutions with high MoO4 (2-) content.

Methods: Cross-linked polyethylene glycol resins (ChemMatrix) were used to separate (99m)Tc and molybdenum in 4N NaOH. The resins were loaded at various flow rates and eluted with water to release (99m)Tc. The (99m)Tc solution was passed through a cation exchange resin and an alumina cartridge, followed by saline elution. This process was tested with cyclotron-produced (99m)Tc using an automated system and disposable kits.

Results: Optimal results were obtained by loading 500 mg of resin at flow rates of up to 3.1 mL/min, with quantitative extraction of (99m)Tc from the molybdate solution and complete release of (99m)Tc after elution with water. The automated system was highly efficient at isolating Na(99m)TcO4 within minutes, with a recovery rate of 92.7% ± 1.1% (mean ± SD) using cyclotron-produced (99m)Tc.

Conclusion: ChemMatrix resins were highly effective at separating (99m)TcO4 (-) from molybdate solutions.

Keywords: 99mTc-pertechnetate; generators; molybdenum.