188W-188Re gel generators based on metal tungstates

Gel generators based on Zn, Co, Ni, Mn and Pb tungstates were prepared as potential supports for the development of¹⁸⁸Re radiopharmaceuticals. Factors which affected either the elution efficiency of¹⁸⁸Re or the breakthrough of¹⁸⁸W were examined.¹⁸⁸Re was produced as perrenate when the generators were eluted with saline (0.15M NaCl) and different organic solvents. The elution yield of¹⁸⁸Re decreased for the various gel supports as: Zn (75%), Co (60%), Ni (37%), Mn (24%), Pb (15%). When a tandem system comprised of a chromatographic alumina column was utilized in combination with the gel generator the¹⁸⁸W breakthrough was controlled to of the order of 10^–6%.