scandium44
Scandium-44 (44Sc) is a radionuclide of the element scandium (atomic number 21) with mass number 44. The nucleus contains 21 protons and 23 neutrons. 44Sc is a positron-emitting isotope that decays to the stable isotope calcium-44 (44Ca) with a half-life of about 4 hours. Its decay characteristics make it of interest for medical imaging applications, particularly in positron emission tomography (PET).
Production and availability: 44Sc can be produced in cyclotrons via the 44Ca(p,n)44Sc reaction, or generated on
Applications: In radiopharmacy, 44Sc is used to label peptides and proteins for PET imaging. Chelating agents
Chemistry: In solution, 44Sc behaves as a trivalent cation (Sc3+). Radiolabeling typically proceeds with chelators under
See also: 44Ti, 44Ti/44Sc generator, PET imaging, DOTA, NOTA.
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