(S)-4,5-Dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione [(S)-DPD, (1)] is a precursor for AI-2, a quorum sensing signalling molecule for inter- and intra-species bacterial communication. The synthesis of its fluoro-analogue, 4-fluoro-5-hydroxypentane-2,3-dione (2) is reported. An intermediate in this route also enables a new, shorter synthesis of the native (S)-DPD. 4-Fluoro-DPD (2) completely inhibited bioluminescence and bacterial growth of Vibrio harveyi BB170 strain at 12.5 μM and 100 μM, respectively.

The diethyl ester of [18F]ML-10 is a small molecule apoptotic PET probe for cancer studies. Here we report a novel multi-step synthesis of the diethyl ester of ML-10 in excellent yields via fluorination using Xtal-Fluor-E. In addition, a one-pot radiosynthesis of the diethyl ester of [18F]ML-10 from nucleophilic [18F]fluoride was completed in 23% radiochemical yield (decay corrected). The radiochemical purity of the product was ⩾99%. The diethyl ester of [18F]ML-10 was used in vivo to detect apoptosis in the testes of mice. In parallel studies, the dansyl-ML-10 diethyl ester was prepared and used to detect apoptotic cells in an in vitro cell based assay.

(S)-4,5-Dihydroxypentane-2,3-dione [(S)-DPD, (1)] is a precursor for AI-2, a quorum sensing signalling molecule for inter- and intra-species bacterial communication. The synthesis of its fluoro-analogue, 4-fluoro-5-hydroxypentane-2,3-dione (2) is reported. An intermediate in this route also enables a new, shorter synthesis of the native (S)-DPD. 4-Fluoro-DPD (2) completely inhibited bioluminescence and bacterial growth of Vibrio harveyi BB170 strain at 12.5 μM and 100 μM, respectively.