No-carrier-added [18F] fluoroethanol was prepared by 2 routes. The 1st involves fluoride-ion displacement on .alpha.-p-toluene sulfonyl ethyl glycolate followed by reduction of the .alpha.-fluoroethyl acetate. The 2nd involves a ring-opening reaction on glycol sulfite to give an .alpha.-fluorosulfinic acid derivative that is hydrolyzed to fluoroethanol. The specific activity was measured as 105 Ci/mmol and the stable fluorine-19 was traced to the cesium hydroxide used to trap the H 18F. Following intracarotid injection the labeled fluoroethanol was not trapped in the brain and thus is not a microsphere analog as was suggested. Tomographic images of the myocardium were obtained using the fluoroethanol as a tracer in animal experiments.