Patent ID: 7592486

Claim:
A method of synthesizing an anhydrous fluoride salt having the formula [Q n M] x+ F x − , the method comprising a nucleophilic substitution of a fluorinated aromatic or fluorinated unsaturated organic compound with a salt having the formula [Q n M] x+ A x − in an inert polar, aprotic solvent wherein: M is nitrogen or phosphorus; Q groups are independently selected from the group consisting of an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an aryl, a heteroaryl, and a polymer; n is an integer such that said [Q n M] carries at least one formal positive charge; x is an integer defining the number of formal positive charge(s), +, carried by said [Q n M]; A − is an anionic nucleophile selected from the group consisting of cyanide, isothiocyanate, isocyanate, cyanate, thiocyanate, alkylthiolates, arylthiolates, or azide; and F represents fluorine or a radioisotope thereof wherein the anhydrous fluoride salt contains less then 0.01% water of hydration.