SummaryRacemic ( AE ) verapamil is a well characterized substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp). However, the in vivo pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of both enantiomers are reported to be different. In the preparation of evaluation studies of both enantiomers in animals and humans, the purpose of the present study was to optimize and automate the synthesis of (R)-and (S)- guidelines. Optimal yields of 60-70% for the methylation reaction were obtained using 1.5 mg of the free base of (R)-or (S)-desmethyl-verapamil in 0.5 ml of acetonitrile at 508C for 5 min with [ 11 C]methyltriflate as methylating agent. Under the same reaction conditions, but with a reaction temperature of 1008C, the radiochemical yield starting with [ 11 C]methyliodide as methylation reagent was 40%. The specific activity of (R)-and (S)-[ 11 C]verapamil was >20 GBq/mmol and the radiochemical purity was >99%for both methods. The total synthesis time was 45 min. The automated high yield synthesis of (R)-and (S)-[ 11 C]verapamil provides the means for evaluating both enantiomers as in vivo tracers of P-gp function.