The use of
O
-(2-[
18
F]fluoroethyl)-
l
-tyrosine ([
18
F]FET) as a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for brain tumor imaging might have some limitations because of the relatively low affinity for the L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). To assess the stereospecificity and evaluate the influence of aromatic ring modification of phenylalanine LAT1 targeting tracers, six different fluoroalkylated phenylalanine analogues were synthesized. After
in vitro
K
i
determination, the most promising compound, 2-[
18
F]-2-fluoroethyl-
l
-phenylalanine (2-[
18
F]FELP), was selected for further evaluation and
in
vitro comparison with [
18
F]FET. Subsequently, 2-[
18
F]FELP was assessed
in vivo
and compared with [
18
F]FET and [
18
F]FDG in a F98 glioblastoma rat model. 2-[
18
F]FELP showed improved
in vitro
characteristics over [
18
F]FET, especially when the affinity and specificity for system L is concerned. Based on our results, 2-[
18
F]FELP is a promising new PET tracer for brain tumor imaging.