Dry-distillation of astatine-211 from irradiated bismuth targets: a time-saving procedure with high recovery yields

Astatine-211 was produced via the 209Bi(α,2n) 211At reaction. The radionuclide was isolated with a novel procedure employing dry-distillation of the irradiated target material. The astatine was condensed as a dry residue in a PEEK-capillary cryotrap. Distillation was completed within 1–2 min with isolation yields of 92±3%. Subsequent work-up of the nuclide resulted in final recovery yields of 79±3%.