Separation of molybdenum and technetium

After the production of (99)mTc via the Mo-100(p,2n)Tc-99m reaction, there is a requirement for separating Tc-99m from bulk Mo-100. Although a number of separation methods have been demonstrated, the possibility of using a cartridge-based system is particularly attractive for routine use in a good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulatory environment. This study confirmed that hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) solid phase extraction (SPE) with PEG as stationary phase is an efficient and easily automated method for separating molybdate and pertechnetate, and that PEG degradation in the conditions used does not affect the performance of the resin. In addition, reversed phase SPE using Waters Oasis (R) HLB shows promise for successful separation of molybdenum and technetium and work continues to extend this technology to readily available commercial SPE cartridges.