ALLETTO FRANCESCO (IE)
WO2012125488A1 | 2012-09-20 |
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CLAIMS 1. A process for incorporating a fluorine atom into a molecule, said process comprising converting a compound of Formula (I) into a compound of Formula (II): wherein G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, and X is an organic group; and wherein the SG group is attached to a secondary or tertiary carbon atom in the organic group X; said process comprising treating said compound of Formula (I) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 2. The process according to claim 1 which comprises simultaneously treating the com- pound of Formula (I) with said activator and said source of fluoride. 3. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluorine is 18F. 4. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein G is a phenyl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkoxy, nitro, halo, and alkyl, or wherein G is selected from methyl and trifluoromethyl. 5. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein G is selected from phenyl, ortho-alkoxyphenyl, para-alkoxyphenyl, and ortho,para-dialkoxyphenyl; preferably wherein G is selected from phenyl and para-methoxyphenyl. 6. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the activator compound is se- lected from the group consisting of N-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide, N- fluorobenzenesulfonimide, N-chlorobenzenesulfonimide, N-bromobenzenesulfonimide, di- ethylaminosulfur trifluoride, diethylaminodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, morpholinodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, bromine, PIDA/I2, AgNO3/I2, and AgNO3/Br2. 7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N- halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfin- ium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri- bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 8. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the activator compound is se- lected from the group consisting of N-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide, N- fluorobenzenesulfonimide, N-chlorobenzenesulfonimide, N-bromobenzenesulfonimide, di- ethylaminosulfur trifluoride, diethylaminodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, morpholinodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, and bromine; and is more preferably, N-bromo- succinimide or N-chlorosuccinimide. 9. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the source of fluoride is a flu- oride phase transfer catalyst. 10. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is selected from the group consisting of metal fluoride salts, complexes or chelates of hydrogen fluoride or metal fluoride salts, and tetraalkylammonium fluorides. 11. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is a metal fluoride salt, preferably an alkali metal salt. 12. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is pyridine-HF or triethylamine-HF. 13. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is pyridine-HF. 14. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is a crown ether complex of a metal fluoride, preferably a crown ether complex of an alkali metal fluoride. 15. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is a C1-C4 tetraalkylammonium fluoride, preferably wherein the source of fluoride is tetrabu- tylammonium fluoride. 16. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the source of fluoride is pyridine-HF and the activator is N-bromosuccinimide. 17. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the activator and the source of fluoride are the same. 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein the activator and the source of fluoride are N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide. 19. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the process is carried out in an organic solvent, an aqueous solvent, or combinations thereof; preferably wherein the pro- cess is carried out in dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, benzonitrile, ethanol, methanol, toluene, water, and combinations thereof. 20. The process according to any preceding claim, wherein the process is carried out at room temperature. 21. The process according to any preceding claim wherein the organic group X is of For- mula L-Y, where L is a direct bond or a covalent linker group, and Y is selected from the group consisting of a labelling agent, a dye, an amino acid, a peptide, a peptoid, a drug mol- ecule or fragment thereof, an antibody or fragment thereof, a protein, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a nucleobase, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, a peptide nu- cleic acid, and derivatives thereof. 22. The process according to any preceding claim, which process comprises the step of converting a compound of Formula (IIa) to a compound of Formula (Ia): (IIa) (Ia) wherein: R1 and R2 are each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group; R3 is H or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group; wherein any two of R1, R2, and R3 or all of R1, R2, and R3 may optionally form one or more cyclic groups. 23. The process according to claim 22 wherein: R1 and R2 are each independently an optionally substituted aliphatic group; and R3 is H or an optionally substituted aliphatic group. 24. The process according to claim 22 wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group; R2 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group; and R3 is H or an optionally substituted aliphatic group. 25. The process according to claim 22, wherein the carbon to which the R1, R2, R3 and SG groups are bonded in Formula (IIa) is a stereogenic centre and the conversion of the compound of Formula (IIa) to Formula (Ia) results in at least partial inversion of the stereo- chemical configuration of the corresponding carbon atom to which F is bonded in Formula (Ia) with respect to that of Formula (IIa); preferably complete inversion. 26. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 for incorporating a fluorine atom into a peptide, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (III) into the backbone of a peptide to form a peptide precursor, wherein: Q1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 27. The process according to claim 26 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesul- fonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 28. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 for incorporating a fluorine into a peptoid, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (IV) into the backbone of a peptoid to form a peptoid precursor, wherein: Q1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptoid precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 29. The process according to claim 28 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesul- fonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 30. The process according to any one of claims 26 to 29 wherein L is a linker group (CR4R5)n where n is an integer from 1 to 10, and each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl and COOH, NH2. 31. The process according to claim 26 or claim 27 wherein said compound of Formula (III) is selected from: 32. The process according to any one of claims 26, 27 or 31, wherein step (a) comprises preparing the peptide precursor by solid phase peptide synthesis. 33. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 for incorporating a fluorine atom into an oligo- or poly-nucleotide, the process comprising: (a) preparing an oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 34. The process according to claim 33 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesul- fonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 35. The process according to claim 33 or claim 34 wherein the -SG group is attached via a covalent linker group L to the nucleobase of at least one nucleotide in the oligo- or poly-nu- cleotide. 36. The process according to any one of claims 33 to 35 wherein the -SG group is incor- porated by reacting a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z1 is a functional group selected from NH2, N3, COOH and OH; L1 is a linker group (CR4R5)n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase. 37. The process according to claim 36 wherein the -SG group is incorporated by reacting a compound of Formula (Va), wherein: Z1 is a functional group selected from NH2, N3, COOH and OH; and R5' is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase. 38. The process according to claim 36 or claim 37 wherein Z1 is N3 and the reactive group on the nucleobase is a -C≡CH group. 39. The process according to claim 36 or claim 37 wherein Z1 is a -C≡CH group and the reactive group on the nucleobase is N3. 40. The process according to claim 36 or claim 37 wherein the compound of Formula (V) is selected from the following: 41. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 for incorporating a fluorine atom into a molecule, the process comprising: (a) preparing a precursor molecule comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the precursor molecule formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 42. The process according to claim 41 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesul- fonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 43. A process according to claim 41 or claim 42 wherein the -SG group is incorporated into the precursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z2 is a functional group selected from NH2, NHR6, N3, COOH, COOR7, OH, CN, CONHR8, COR9, CHO, CSNHR10, C≡CH, C=CH2, and ; L2 is a linker group selected from (CR4R5)n, an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, and any combination thereof; wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; with a reactive group in the molecule. 44. The process according to claim 43 wherein L2 is a linker group selected from (CR4R5)n, an optionally substituted aryl group, and any combination thereof. 45. The process according to claim 43 or claim 44 wherein the -SG group is incorporated into the precursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VIa), wherein m is an integer from 1 to 10, and wherein R4’ is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group and R5' is H, an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; or wherein R4’ and R5’ are both alkyl groups; with a reactive group in the molecule. 46. The process according to claim 45 wherein the compound of Formula (VIa) is se- lected from the following: 47. The process according to claim 45, wherein m is 1, 2, or 3. 48. The process according to claim 43, claim 45, or claim 47 wherein: Z2 is a functional group selected from NH2, NHR6, N3, COOH, COOR7, OH, CN, CONHR8, COR9, CHO, CSNHR10; L2 is a linker group (CR4R5)n, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl. 49. The process according to claim 47 wherein the compound of Formula (VIa) is se- lected from the following: 50. The process according to claim 43 wherein the -SG group is incorporated into the precursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VIb): wherein o is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein R4’ is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group and R5' is H, an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; or wherein R4’ and R5’ are both alkyl groups; with a reactive group in the molecule. 51. The process according to claim 50 wherein the compound of Formula (VIb) is se- lected from the following: 52. The process according to any one of claims 41 to 51 wherein the molecule is selected from the group consisting of nucleosides, nucleotides, oligo- or poly-nucleotides, peptide nu- cleic acids, amino acids, mono- oligo- and poly-saccharides, peptides, peptoids, proteins and small molecules. 53. Use of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 in the preparation of a fluori- nated amino acid or a fluorinated peptide. 54. Use of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 in the preparation of a fluori- nated oligonucleotide or polynucleotide. 55. Use of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 in the preparation of a fluori- nated pharmacologically active agent, or a fragment thereof, or a precursor or intermediate thereof. 56. Use of a process according to any one of claims 1 to 25 in the preparation of a fluori- nated radiolabelling agent. 57. Use of a compound of Formula (III) wherein: Q1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group (CR4R5)n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl, COOH, and NH2; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptides, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 58. The use according to claim 57 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfona- mides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 59. Use of a compound of Formula (IV) (IV) wherein: Q1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptoids, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 60. The use according to claim 59 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfona- mides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 61. Use of a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z1 is a functional group selected from NH2, N3, COOH and OH; L1 is a linker group (CR4R5)n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated oligo- or poly-nucleotide, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+,I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 62. The use according to claim 61 wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfona- mides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. 63. Use of a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z2 is a functional group selected from NH2, NHR6, N3, COOH, COOR7, OH, CN, CONHR8, L2 is a linker group selected from (CR4R5)n, an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl group, and any combination thereof; wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated molecule, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I2 ; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 64. The use according to claim 63 wherein: Z2 is a functional group selected from NH2, NHR6, N3, COOH, COOR7, OH, CN and CONHR8, COR9, CHO, and CSNHR10; L2 is a linker group (CR4R5)n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R4 and R5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF2, difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br+, Cl+, F+, bromonium or chloronium. |
[0138] In a further preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0139] In another preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0140] In a further preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0141] In a further preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0142] In another preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0143] In another preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: [0144] In a preferred embodiment, the -SG group is incorporated into the precursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VIb): wherein o is 0, 1, 2 or 3, and wherein R 4’ is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group and R 5' is H, an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; or wherein R 4’ and R 5’ are both alkyl groups; with a reactive group in the molecule. [0145] In preferred embodiments, o is 0 or 1. [0146] In another preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (VIb) is selected from the following: [0147] In a further preferred embodiment, the molecule is selected from the group consisting of nucleotides, oligo- or poly-nucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, amino acids, mono- oligo- and poly-saccharides, peptides, peptoids, proteins and small molecules. [0148] The process of the present disclosure may find particular utility in the preparation of fluorinated pharmacological agents. As noted above, the introduction of fluorine, for example as 19 F or 18 F, is of critical importance to drug discovery, development, and production. For example, labelling molecules with 19 F or 18 F enables medical imaging technologies such as MRI and PET imaging for diagnostics or in clinical studies to evaluate properties such as phar- macokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Substitution of a hydrogen atom for a fluorine atom is often a ubiquitous modification made during the development of a drug candidate, such as when evaluating structure activity relationships (SAR). While fluorine is a good bioisostere for hydrogen due to its small size, the substitution of hydrogen with fluorine can also increase biological activity, chemical and/or metabolic stability, and/or membrane permeation. Thus, a further aspect of the present disclosure provides the use of the process described herein in the preparation of a fluorinated pharmacologically active agent, or a fragment thereof, or a precursor or intermediate thereof. [0149] As used herein, “pharmacologically active agent” means any biologically active sub- stance that may be applied or administered to the human or animal body having a diagnostic, therapeutic, or otherwise physiological effect thereon. Such pharmacologically active agents are not limited and may, for example, be small molecules, oligo- or poly-nucleotides, peptides, proteins, or other “biologics” such as antibodies, fragments and derivatives thereof, and anti- body mimics such as antigen-binding protein domains. The process described herein may be used to directly incorporate a fluorine atom in such a molecule, or may be used to incorporate a fluorine atom into an intermediate or precursor thereof. For example, the process of the present disclosure may be used to incorporate a fluorine atom into ‘building block’ compounds such as fragments for fragment-based drug discovery processes. [0150] Accordingly, a further aspect of the present disclosure provides the use of a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z 2 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , NHR 6 , N 3 , COOH, COOR 7 , OH, CN and CONHR 8 , COR 9 , CHO, and CSNHR 10 ; L 2 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated molecule, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0151] Another aspect provides the use of a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z 2 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , NHR 6 , N 3 , COOH, COOR 7 , OH, CN, CONHR 8 , L 2 is a linker group selected from (CR 4 R 5 ) n , an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl group, and any combination thereof; wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated molecule, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0152] In a further embodiment, the compound of Formula (VI) may be a compound of Formula (VIa) as defined above. In further embodiments, the compound of Formula (VI) may be a com- pound of Formula (VIb) as defined above. [0153] The molecule is not limited, but in a preferred embodiment may be selected from the group consisting of nucleotides, oligo- or poly-nucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, amino acids, mono- oligo- and poly-saccharides, peptides, peptoids, proteins and small molecules. [0154] Further exemplary embodiments relating to particular types of molecule into which a fluorine atom can be introduced by the process of the present disclosure are now described in more detail below. The sub-headings are for organisational purposes only and the teachings under each section are not limited to the section in which they are found. (a) Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins [0155] The process of the present invention may be particularly advantageous for the intro- duction of a fluorine atom into an amino acid, peptide or protein. [0156] Amino acids may be natural or non-natural amino acids. Natural amino acids include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histi- dine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. [0157] As used herein, the term “non-natural amino acid” includes alpha and alpha-disubsti- tuted amino acids, N-alkyl amino acids, lactic acid, halide derivatives of natural amino acids such as trifluorotyrosine, p-Cl-phenylalanine, p-F-phenylalanine, p-Br-phenylalanine, p-NO 2 - phenylalanine, phenylglycine, sarcosine, penicillamine, D-2-methyltryptophan, phosphoserine, phosphothreonine, phosphotyrosine, p-I-phenylalanine, L-allyl-glycine, ß-alanine, ß-aspartic acid, ß-cyclohexylalanine, citrulline, homoserine, homocysteine, pyroglutamic acid, L-α-amino butyric acid, L-γ-amino butyric acid, L-α-amino isobutyric acid, α-cyclohexylglycine, diamino- butyric acid, diaminopimelic acid, N-ε-dinitrophenyl-lysine, L-1-naphthylalanine, L-2- naphthylalanine, 3-(2-pyridyl)-L-alanine, 3-(3-pyridyl)-L-alanine, 3-(4-pyridyl)-L-alanine, N-ε- methyl-lysine, N,N-ε-dimethyl-lysine, N,N,N-ε-trimethyl-lysine, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, L-ε- amino caproic acid, 7-amino heptanoic acid, 6-amino hexanoic acid L-methionine sulfone, or- nithine, L-norleucine, L-norvaline, p-nitro-L-phenylalanine, L-hydroxyproline, γ-glutamic acid, γ-amino butyric acid L-thioproline, methyl derivatives of phenylalanine (Phe) such as 4-methyl- Phe, pentamethyl-Phe, L-Phe (4-amino), L-Tyr (methyl), L-Phe (4-isopropyl), L-Tic (1,2,3,4- tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxyl acid), L-diaminopropionic acid and L-Phe (4-benzyl). [0158] The compounds described herein may comprise amino acids in the L or D form, i.e. one or more residues, preferably all the residues may be in the L or D form. [0159] One or more amino acids comprised in a peptide may be protected with a protecting group. Suitable protecting groups for amino acids will be familiar to the person skilled in the art (see for example, Chem. Rev.2009, 109, 2455–2504). These protecting groups can be sepa- rated into three groups, as follows: i. N-terminal protecting groups; ii. C-terminal protecting groups; and iii. side chain protecting groups. [0160] Suitable amino protecting groups are described in “Fmoc Solid Phase Peptide Synthe- sis - A Practical Approach” W. C. Chan & P. D. White. Oxford University Press, 2000, reprinted 2004. [0161] Suitable hydroxy protecting groups are described in Green T., “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, Chapter 1, J. Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1991, 10-142. [0162] Purified, individual amino acids are reacted with these protecting groups prior to syn- thesis and then selectively removed during specific steps of peptide synthesis. [0163] As used herein, the term “peptide” means a biological oligomer comprising units de- rived from amino acids linked via peptide bonds. The amino acids may be natural or non- natural amino acids. [0164] The terms “protein” and “polypeptide” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a biological polymer comprising units derived from amino acids linked via peptide bonds; a pro- tein can be composed of two or more polypeptide chains. [0165] The distinction between peptides and proteins is not precisely defined. However, as an example proteins may be considered to encompass natural or synthetic polypeptides having molecular weights greater than about 10000 Da. [0166] In particular, the reagents and conditions of the process of the present disclosure have good compatibility with functional groups typically present in amino acids, peptides, and pro- teins such that, for example, protecting groups may not be required. Moreover, the process may be performed in aqueous solvents, which may be particularly compatible with biomole- cules such as peptides and proteins, which may not be soluble in organic solvents. Further, existing methods prior to the present disclosure typically require high temperatures which may lead to degradation of the amino acid, peptide or protein. [0167] Existing methods prior to the present disclosure for preparing fluorinated amino acids are generally restricted to the preparation of less reactive amino acids such as 3-fluoroproline. Further, existing methods for preparing 18 F-labelled amino acids for imaging applications are almost entirely limited to derivatives of tyrosine or phenylalanine, because said methods rely on the fluorination of aromatic rings. Moreover, such reactions typically require conditions such as high temperatures that may not be compatible with maintaining the integrity of a peptide or protein, for example. [0168] Thus, a preferred embodiment is a process for incorporating a fluorine into a peptide, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (III) into the backbone of a peptide to form a peptide precursor, wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dial- kylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri- bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0169] In another preferred embodiment of the process of the present disclosure, the process comprises the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (III) into the backbone of a peptide to form a peptide precursor, wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I + , bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0170] Analogous to peptides, the process of the present disclosure may also be applied to the fluorination of peptoids. Peptoids are sequence specific peptidomimetics with a peptide backbone but which differ from peptides in that the side-chains (by analogy to amino acids) are attached to the nitrogen of the peptide backbone rather than to the alpha-carbon as would be the case in an amino acid. The synthesis, characterisation and applications of peptoids are reviewed in Seo et al., 2.3 Peptoids: Synthesis, Characterization, and Nanostructures, Ed: Paul Ducheyne, Comprehensive Biomaterials II, Elsevier, 2017, ISBN: 9780081006924, the disclo- sure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such peptidomimetics may be advantageous in certain applications, for example as therapeutic agents, due to their decreased susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. The process of the present disclosure may also be applied to other peptide analogues/mimics such as D-peptides (peptides comprising entirely D-amino acids), beta-peptides (peptides derived from beta-amino acids) and the like. [0171] Thus, in another preferred embodiment the process of the present disclosure is a pro- cess for incorporating a fluorine into a peptoid, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (IV) into the backbone of a peptoid to form a peptoid precursor, (IV) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptoid precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dial- kylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri- bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0172] In another preferred embodiment, the process comprises the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (IV) into the backbone of a peptoid to form a peptoid precursor, wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptoid precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I + , bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0173] In a preferred embodiment of the above processes, the process comprises simultane- ously treating the peptide or peptoid precursor formed in step (a) with said activator and said source of fluoride. [0174] In a preferred embodiment, the fluorine is 18 F. [0175] In a preferred embodiment, G is a phenyl or heteroaryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkoxy, nitro, halo, and alkyl, or wherein G is selected from methyl and trifluoromethyl. [0176] In another preferred embodiment, G is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, ortho-alkoxyphenyl, para-alkoxyphenyl, and ortho,para-dialkoxyphenyl [0177] In another preferred embodiment G is selected from phenyl, ortho-methoxyphenyl, para-methoxyphenyl, ortho,para-dimethoxyphenyl, and para-nitrophenyl. [0178] In another preferred embodiment G is selected from phenyl, para-methoxyphenyl, and para-nitrophenyl. [0179] In another preferred embodiment, G is selected from phenyl and para-methoxyphenyl. [0180] In a particularly preferred embodiment, G is phenyl. In another particularly preferred embodiment, G is para-methoxyphenyl. [0181] In further preferred embodiments, the activator compound and/or source of fluoride may be as further defined in their respective sections hereinabove. [0182] In a preferred embodiment, L is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10, and each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl and COOH, NH 2 . In a further preferred embodiment, n is 1 or 2. [0183] In a preferred embodiment, Q 1 is Fmoc (9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl) or Boc (t-bu- tyloxycarbonyl). [0184] In a preferred embodiment, Q 2 is alkyl or aryl, more preferably methyl, ethyl or benzyl. [0185] In a further preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (III) as defined above is selected from: [0186] In a preferred embodiment, the peptide or peptoid is prepared by solid phase synthesis. For example, the compound of Formula (III) may be incorporated into the backbone of a pep- tide during solid phase peptide synthesis. Similarly, the compound of Formula (IV) may be incorporated into the backbone of a peptoid during solid phase synthesis. Incorporation may be at any position within the backbone, and once synthesis is complete the synthesised pep- tide/peptoid may be cleaved and/or deprotected from the solid phase resin and optionally purified. In another embodiment, the peptide/peptoid comprising the compound of Formula (III) or (IV) may be used in a fragment condensation reaction, in solution or on the solid-phase resin, in which one or more additional peptides/peptoids may be coupled to said peptide/pep- toid to produce larger peptides or proteins. [0187] As discussed hereinabove, the process of the present disclosure may be used to in- corporate a fluorine atom into a protein. The nature of the protein is not limited, however the process of the present disclosure may be particularly advantageous for the fluorination of cer- tain proteins, for example those that may find therapeutic or diagnostic utility or as tools in research. [0188] In a preferred embodiment, the protein may be an antibody. The term "antibody" means an immunoglobulin molecule (or a group of immunoglobulin molecules) that recognizes and specifically binds to a target, such as a protein, polypeptide, peptide, carbohydrate, polynucle- otide, lipid, or combinations of the foregoing through at least one antigen recognition site within the variable region of the immunoglobulin molecule. The terms “antibody” or “immunoglobulin,” as used interchangeably herein, include whole antibodies and antibody fragments including any functional domain of an antibody such as an antigen-binding fragment or single chains thereof, an effector domain, salvage receptor binding epitope, or portion thereof. A typical an- tibody comprises at least two heavy (H) chains and two light (L) chains interconnected by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain is comprised of a heavy chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VH) and a heavy chain constant region. The heavy chain constant region is com- prised of three domains, CH1, CH2, and CH3. Each light chain is comprised of a light chain variable region (abbreviated herein as VL) and a light chain constant region. The light chain constant region is comprised of one domain, Cl. The VH and VL regions can be further subdi- vided into regions of hypervariability, termed Complementarity Determining Regions (CDRs), interspersed with regions that are more conserved, termed framework regions (FW). Each VH and VL is composed of three CDRs and four FWs, arranged from amino-terminus to carboxy- terminus in the following order: FW1, CDR1, FW2, CDR2, FW3, CDR3, FW4. The variable regions of the heavy and light chains contain a binding domain that interacts with an antigen. The constant regions of the antibodies can mediate the binding of the immunoglobulin to host tissues or factors, including various cells of the immune system (e.g., effector cells) and the first component (C1q) of the classical complement system. [0189] Antibodies can include, for example, monoclonal antibodies, recombinantly produced antibodies, human antibodies, humanized antibodies, resurfaced antibodies, chimeric antibod- ies, immunoglobulins, synthetic antibodies, tetrameric antibodies comprising two heavy chain and two light chain molecules, an antibody light chain monomer, an antibody heavy chain mon- omer, an antibody light chain dimer, an antibody heavy chain dimer, an antibody light chain- antibody heavy chain pair, intrabodies, heteroconjugate antibodies, single domain antibodies, monovalent antibodies, single chain antibodies or single-chain Fvs (scFv), affibodies, Fab frag- ments, F(ab') 2 fragments, disulfide-linked Fvs (sdFv), anti-idiotypic (anti-Id) antibodies (including, e.g., anti-anti-Id antibodies), bispecific antibodies, and multi-specific antibodies. In certain embodiments, antibodies described herein refer to polyclonal antibody populations. Antibodies can be of any type (e.g., IgG, IgE, IgM, IgD, IgA, or IgY), any class (e.g., IgG 1 , IgG 2 , IgG 3 , IgG 4 , IgA 1 , or IgA 2 ), or any subclasses (isotypes) thereof (e.g. IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1 and IgA2), of immunoglobulin molecule, based on the identity of their heavy-chain con- stant domains referred to as alpha, delta, epsilon, gamma, and mu, respectively. The different classes of immunoglobulins have different and well known subunit structures and three-dimen- sional configurations. Antibodies can be naked or conjugated or fused to other molecules such as toxins, radioisotopes, other polypeptides etc. [0190] The term “antibody fragment” refers to a portion of an intact antibody and refers to any functional domain of an antibody such as an antigen-binding fragment or single chains thereof, an effector domain or a portion thereof, and a salvage receptor binding epitope or a portion thereof. Examples of antibody fragments include, but are not limited to, Fab, Fab', F(ab') 2 , and Fv fragments, linear antibodies, single chain antibodies, and multi-specific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. [0191] The terms “single chain variable fragment(s),” or “scFv” antibodies as used herein refer to forms of antibodies (e.g., antibody fragments) comprising the variable regions of only the heavy and light chains, connected by a linker peptide. [0192] The term “specifically binds” means that a binding agent such as an antibody or a frag- ment or derivative thereof reacts or associates more frequently, more rapidly, with greater duration, with greater affinity, or with some combination of the above to the epitope, protein, or target molecule than with alternative substances, including proteins unrelated to the target epitope. Because of the sequence identity between homologous proteins in different species, specific binding can, in several embodiments, include a binding agent that recognizes a protein or target in more than one species. Likewise, because of homology within certain regions of polypeptide sequences of different proteins, specific binding can include a binding agent that recognizes more than one protein or target. It is understood that, in certain embodiments, a binding agent that specifically binds a first target may or may not specifically bind a second target. As such, “specific binding” does not necessarily require (although it can include) exclu- sive binding, e.g., binding to a single target. Thus, a binding agent may, in certain embodiments, specifically bind more than one target. In certain embodiments, multiple targets may be bound by the same antigen-binding site on the binding agent. [0193] “Target” refers to any molecule or combination of molecules that can be bound by a binding agent such as an antibody or antibody variable domain fragment. [0194] The term “epitope” refers to that portion of any molecule (e.g., a target of interest) ca- pable of being recognized and specifically bound by a particular binding agent (e.g. an antibody or fragment or derivative thereof). When the recognized molecule is a polypeptide, epitopes can be formed from contiguous amino acids and non-contiguous amino acids and/or other chemically active surface groups of molecules (such as carbohydrates) juxtaposed by tertiary folding of a protein. Epitopes formed from contiguous amino acids are typically retained upon protein denaturing, whereas epitopes formed by tertiary folding are typically lost upon protein denaturing. An epitope typically includes at least 3 amino acids, and more usually, at least 5 or 8-10 amino acids in a unique spatial conformation. [0195] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of the process as described herein in the preparation of a fluorinated amino acid or a fluorinated peptide. In a preferred embodiment of said use, fluorinated amino acid or fluorinated peptide may be radiolabelled, that is a radioisotope of fluorine such as 18 F may be incorporated by the use of the process of the present disclosure. [0196] The present disclosure also contemplates the use of the compounds disclosed herein as intermediates for the preparation of intermediates or precursors for the preparation of fluor- inated peptides, peptoids or proteins. Thus, in a further aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of a compound of Formula (III) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl, COOH, and NH 2 ; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptides, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0197] Another aspect provides the use a compound of Formula (III) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl, COOH, and NH 2 ; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptides, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I+, bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0198] Similarly, in a further aspect the present disclosure provides the use of a compound of Formula (IV) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptoids, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0199] A further aspect provides the use of a compound of Formula (IV) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptoids, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I + , bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0200] In said uses the compound of Formula (III) or Formula (IV) may be as further defined hereinabove. (b) Nucleosides, Nucleotides, Oligo- and Poly-Nucleotides [0201] The process of the present invention may be particularly advantageous for the intro- duction of a fluorine atom into a nucleoside, nucleotide, or oligo- or poly-nucleotide. [0202] The terms “polynucleotide” are used herein interchangeable and refer to a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. These terms include, but are not limited to, DNA, RNA, cDNA (complementary DNA), mRNA (messenger RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA), shRNA (small hairpin RNA), snRNA (small nuclear RNA), snoRNA (short nucleolar RNA), miRNA (microRNA), genomic DNA, synthetic DNA, synthetic RNA, and/or tRNA. [0203] Also contemplated within the terms “polynucleotide” and “nucleic acid” are non-natural mimics of polynucleotides as well as natural and non-natural modified polynucleotides. For example, the process of the present invention may be used to incorporate a fluorine atom into a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). PNAs are synthetic DNA analogues in which the phosphodiester backbone is replaced by repetitive units of N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine to which the purine and pyrimidine bases are attached via a methyl carbonyl linker. PNAs may be synthesised in a similar manner to peptides, using standard solid phase synthetic methods. [0204] In another exemplary embodiment, the process of the present invention may be used to incorporate a fluorine atom into a locked nucleic acid (LNA). LNAs are modified nucleotides comprising a 2’-4’ methylene bridge. LNA oligonucleotides typically comprise combinations of LNA and DNA or RNA. LNAs typically have increased binding affinity for complementary nu- cleic acids, and may also have increased resistance to degradation by nucleases. [0205] Further exemplary modified nucleotides contemplated by the present disclosure are 2’- O-methyl nucleotides and oligonucleotides comprising the same. The 2’-O-methyl nucleotide modification may be natural or non-natural and may be associated with improved nuclease resistance and increased binding affinity for complementary nucleic acids. [0206] Thus, in one preferred embodiment, the process of the present disclosure is a process for incorporating a fluorine atom into an oligo- or poly-nucleotide, the process comprising: (a) preparing an oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substi- tuted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuc- cinimides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzene sulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dial- kylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri- bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0207] In another preferred embodiment, the process of the present disclosure is a process for incorporating a fluorine atom into an oligo- or poly-nucleotide, the process comprising: (a) preparing an oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , I + , bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0208] In a preferred embodiment, the process comprises simultaneously treating the oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor formed in step (a) with said activator and said source of fluoride. [0209] In a preferred embodiment, the fluorine is 18 F. [0210] In a preferred embodiment, G is a phenyl or heteroaryl group, optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkoxy, nitro, halo, and alkyl, or wherein G is selected from methyl and trifluoromethyl. [0211] In another preferred embodiment, G is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, ortho-alkoxyphenyl, para-alkoxyphenyl, and ortho,para-dialkoxyphenyl [0212] In another preferred embodiment G is selected from phenyl, ortho-methoxyphenyl, para-methoxyphenyl, ortho,para-dimethoxyphenyl, and para-nitrophenyl. [0213] In another preferred embodiment G is selected from phenyl, para-methoxyphenyl, and para-nitrophenyl. [0214] In another preferred embodiment, G is selected from phenyl and para-methoxyphenyl. [0215] In a particularly preferred embodiment, G is phenyl. In another particularly preferred embodiment, G is para-methoxyphenyl. [0216] In further preferred embodiments, the activator compound and/or source of fluoride may be as further defined in their respective sections hereinabove. [0217] In another preferred embodiment, the –SG group is attached via a covalent linker group L to the nucleobase of at least one nucleotide in the oligo- or poly-nucleotide. [0218] In another preferred embodiment, the -SG group is incorporated by reacting a com- pound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; L 1 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase, wherein a “reactive group” has the meaning as de- fined hereinabove. [0219] In a further preferred embodiment, n is 1 or 2. [0220] In another preferred embodiment, the -SG group is incorporated by reacting a com- pound of Formula (Va), wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; and R 5' is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase. [0221] In a particularly preferred embodiment, Z 1 is N 3 and the reactive group on the nucleo- base is a -C≡CH group. In another particularly preferred embodiment, Z1 is a -C≡CH group and the reactive group on the nucleobase is N 3 . In such embodiments, the N 3 group and the - C≡CH group undergo a Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition resulting in a triazole linkage to the nucleobase. Such a reaction is often referred to in the art as a “click” reaction. Such reactions are commonly used for bioconjugations due to their biocompatibility and bioorthogonality. In particular, such reactions proceed in a single step, are compatible with aqueous solvents, gen- erate minimal byproducts (if any) and have a strong thermodynamic driving force towards quickly and irreversibly producing a high yield of a single reaction product with high specificity. Where Z 1 is N 3 and the reactive group on the nucleobase is a -C≡CH group, the reaction may in a preferred embodiment be catalysed by the presence of Cu(I). Alternatively, the reactive group may be a strained alkyne such as a difluorooctyne or dibenzocyclooctyne. [0222] The nucleobase comprising a reactive group may be incorporated into the oligo- or poly-nucleotide by methods commonplace in the art such as chemical synthesis, enzymatic synthesis, or biosynthesis in a host cell. For example, a natural or modified nucleotide may be incorporated into an oligo-nucleotide during standard phosphoramidite oligonucleotide synthe- sis. Various alkyne containing nucleotides, precursors and the like are commercially available that are suitable for incorporation into oligo- and poly-nucleotides. [0223] In another preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (V) is selected from the following: [0224] A further aspect of the present disclosure provides the use of the process described herein in the preparation of a fluorinated oligonucleotide or polynucleotide. The fluorinated ol- igo- or poly-nucleotide may be radiolabelled, for example with 18 F. [0225] In a further aspect the present disclosure provides the use of a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; L 1 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted aryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated oligo- or poly-nucleotide, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0226] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; L 1 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated oligo- or poly-nucleotide, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine, hypervalent iodine compounds with I 2 ; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + ,I + , bromonium, iodonium, or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. [0227] In a preferred embodiment of said uses, the compound of Formula (V) may be as fur- ther defined hereinabove. In a further preferred embodiment, the compound of Formula (V) is a compound of Formula (Va) as defined hereinabove. [0228] Having generally described this disclosure, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples illustrated below which are provided for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be all inclusive or limiting unless otherwise specified. EXAMPLES [0229] Exemplary General Procedure for Desulfurative Fluorination with NFSI. 1 (0.25 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged in a flame dried 10 mL vial under nitrogen atmosphere and dissolved with 1.0 mL of methylene chloride. Under vigorous stirring, NFSI (0.5 mmol, 2.0 equiv) was added. Upon complete consumption of 1 and/or the relative intermediates (observed via 1 H NMR) the organic phase was concentrated and purified via flash column chromatography on silica gel to isolated desired product 2. [0230] The following exemplary fluorine-containing compounds were each prepared according to Exemplary General Procedure 1. (1-fluorobutyl)benzene – 2a The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether, 100) as a colourless oil (220 mg, 89% yield). Mild vacuum conditions were used in the concentration process. All analytical data are consistent with those reported in B. Cui, et al., Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 1–8, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Methyl 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanoate – 2b F The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 98:2) as a colourless oil (244 mg, 82% yield). All analytical data are consistent with those reported in S. Bloom, et al., Org. Lett.2013, 15, 7, 1722–1724, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Methyl 3-fluoro-3-(o-tolyl)propanoate – 2c The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 98:2) as a colourless oil (260 mg, 84% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.43 – 7-37 (m, 1H), 7.27 – 7.22 (m, 2H), 7.20 – 7.15 (m, 1H), 6.15 (ddd, J = 46.5, 9.5, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.05 – 2.93 (m, 1H), 2.77 (ddd, J = 35.1, 16.2, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 2.37 (s, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 170.32 (d, J = 2.8 Hz), 136.72 (d, J = 18.4 Hz), 134.63 (d, J = 4.7), 130.72, 128.69, 126.39, 125.26 (d, J = 8.2 Hz), 88.11 (d, J = 171.1 Hz), 52.09, 41.23 (d, J = 27.3 Hz), 18.88. 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -175.52. Ethyl 3-fluoro-3-(2,4,5-trifluorophenyl)propanoate – 2d The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 98:2) as a colourless oil (31 mg, 89% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.33 – 7.25 (m, 1H), 6.96 (dd, J = 16.1, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 6.12 (ddd, J = 45.7, 8.7, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 4.20 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 3.03 – 2.77 (m, 1H), 1.27 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 168.79 (d, J = 4.3 Hz), 154.23 (dddd, J = 246.9, 9.3, 5.4, 2.9 Hz), 150.20 (dddd, J = 253.1, 14.4, 12.4, 1.9 Hz), 147.09 (ddd, J = 246.1, 12.7, 3.6 Hz), 122.92 – 122.02 (m), 115.34 (ddd, J = 14.1, 7.4, 5.3 Hz), 105.93 (dd, J = 27.3, 21.1 Hz), 84.51 (dd, J = 174.9, 2.0 Hz), 61.20, 41.00 (d, J = 26.3 Hz), 14.09. 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -119.65 (dd, J = 15.6, 4.4 Hz), -132.44 (ddd, J = 21.4, 4.6, 2.6 Hz), -141.35 (ddd, J = 21.8, 15.5, 1.3 Hz), - 180.25 (d, J = 3.9 Hz). Methyl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-fluoropropanoate – 2e The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 98:2) as a yellow oil (260 mg, 89% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.37 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 2H), 5.90 (ddd, J = 46.6, 8.8, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.02 (ddd, J = 15.8, 13.8, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (ddd, J = 31.1, 16.1, 4.4 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 169.82 (d, J = 5.6 Hz), 137.13 (d, J = 20.0 Hz), 134.76 (d, J = 2.4 Hz), 128.93, 127.03 (d, J = 6.5 Hz), 89.90 (d, J = 172.9 Hz), 52.11, 42.14 (d, J = 27.2 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -173.53. Methyl 3-fluoro-3-(4-formylphenyl)propanoate – 2f The title compound was isolated as an inseparable mixture with me- thyl (E)-3-(4-formylphenyl)acrylate (13%) by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 90:10) as a col- ourless oil (25 mg, 47% yield based on 2.87f). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 10.04 (s, 1H), 7.92 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.54 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 2H), 6.01 (ddd, J = 46.7, 8.7, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.10 – 2.97 (m, 1H), 2.83 (ddd, J = 31.2, 16.2, 4.4 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 191.62, 169.61 (d, J = 5.3 Hz), 145.14 (d, J = 19.6 Hz), 136.58 (d, J = 1.4 Hz), 130.09, 125.97 (d, J = 7.2 Hz), 89.87 (d, J = 174.7 Hz), 52.18, 42.14 (d, J = 26.5 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -177.58. 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanoate – 2g The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 99.5:0.5) as a yellow oil (330 mg, 87% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.39 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 5H), 5.93 (ddd, J = 46.9, 9.2, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (hept, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.24 (ddd, J = 16.3, 12.9, 9.2 Hz, 1H), 3.02 (ddd, J = 31.5, 16.3, 3.9 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 166.52 (d, J = 4.4 Hz), 137.52 (d, J = 19.4 Hz), 129.30 (d, J = 2.0 Hz), 128.86, 125.53 (d, J = 6.4 Hz), 120.25 (qd, J = 282.0, 3.5 Hz), 89.69 (d, J = 174.8 Hz), 66.73 (hept, J = 34.9 Hz), 41.45 (d, J = 27.6 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -73.18 – -73.34 (m), -173.32 (s). 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-fluoropropanoate – 2h (silica as a mg, 84% yield based on 2.87h). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.32 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 5.83 (ddd, J = 46.6, 9.0, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 5.72 (hept, J = 6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (ddd, J = 16.1, 13.2, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 2.92 (ddd, J = 30.6, 16.4, 4.1 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 166.27 (d, J = 4.8 Hz), 136.02 (d, J = 19.9 Hz), 135.30 (d, J = 2.3 Hz), 129.14, 126.97 (d, J = 6.5 Hz), 120.24 (qd, J = 281.9, 3.0 Hz), 89.03 (d, J = 175.5 Hz), 66.80 (hept, J = 35.0 Hz), 41.34 (d, J = 27.6 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -73.22 – -73.31 (m), -173.65 (s). S-phenyl 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanethioate – 2i The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (sil- ica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 98:2) as a yellow solid (310 mg, 78% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.45 – 7.35 (m, 10H), 5.96 (ddd, J = 46.8, 8.9, 4.0 Hz, 1H), 3.38 (ddd, J = 15.5, 13.5, 8.9 Hz, 1H), 3.07 (ddd, J = 31.4, 15.6, 4.0 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 193.63 (d, J = 3.7 Hz), 138.4 (d, J = 19.6 Hz), 134.50, 129.71, 129.32, 128.96 (d, J = 2.0 Hz), 128.74, 127.07, 125.58 (d, J = 6.6 Hz), 90.29 (d, J = 174.4 Hz), 50.70 (d, J = 26.6 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl3) δ -173.88. 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanenitrile – 2.l F The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 95:5) as a colourless oil (310 mg, 88% yield). All analytical data are consistent with those reported in S. Bloom et al., Org. Lett.2014, 16, 6338-6341. 3-(4-bromophenyl)-3-fluoropropyl methanesulphonate – 2m The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 85:15) as a colourless oil (45 mg, 58% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.53 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (d, J = 8.0 Hz, 1H), 5.60 (ddd, J = 47.6, 8.9, 3.7 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (td, J = 9.4, 5.2 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (dt, J = 10.4, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.04 (s, 1H), 2.37 – 2.18 (m, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 137.88 (d, J = 19.9 Hz), 131.92 (s), 127.11 (d, J = 6.9 Hz), 122.78 (d, J = 2.3 Hz), 89.79 (d, J = 172.7 Hz), 65.56 (d, J = 4.4 Hz), 37.37 (s), 36.77 (d, J = 24.0 Hz). 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ -179.96. 1-chloro-4-(fluoro(phenyl)methyl)benzene – 2k The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (sil- ica gel; petroleum ether, 100) as a colourless oil (390 mg, 71% yield). All analytical data are consistent with those reported in S. Bloom, et al., Org. Lett.2014, 16, 6338–6341, the contents of which are incorpo- rated herein by reference. 1-fluoroadamantane – 2o Prepared according to GP1, 15 minutes reaction. The title compound was isolated by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether, 100) as a colourless oil (30 mg, 77% yield). All analytical data are consistent with those reported in H. Chen, et al., Angew. Chemie - Int. Ed.2017, 56, 15411–15415, the contents of which are in- corporated herein by reference. (3-fluoro-3-methylbutyl)benzene – 2p The crude of reaction was analysed with 1 H NMR vs CH 2 Br 2 and 19 F NMR vs C 6 F 6 to determine the title compound yield (53% yield). All analytical data are consistent with those reported in H. Chen, et al., Angew. Chemie - Int. Ed.2017, 56, 15411–15415, the contents of which are incorporated herein by refer- ence. [0231] Exemplary Procedure 2: Desulphurative fluorination of ^-sulphido esters with NBS and PPHF In a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere 1b (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged and dissolved with 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 . PPHF was added (0.2 mL) followed by addition of NBS (0.24 mmol, 1.1 equiv). The reaction was monitored via 1 H NMR: 0.1 mL of crude solu- tion were rapidly evaporated under high vacuum (P < 0.2 mbar), dissolved in 0.4 mL of CDCl 3 and analysed via 1 H NMR. After 10 minutes, ca.60% conversion to product 2b was detected. Complete consumption of substrate 1b was observed in 20 minutes with 2b pre- sent in over 95% yield. [0232] Exemplary Procedure 3: Desulphurative fluorination of ^-sulphido esters with DAST and PPHF In a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere 1b (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged and dissolved with 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 . PPHF was added (0.2 mL) followed by addition of DAST (0.24 mmol, 1.2 equiv). The reaction was monitored via 1 H NMR: 0.1 mL of crude solu- tion were rapidly evaporated under high vacuum (P < 0.2 mbar), dissolved in 0.4 mL of CDCl 3 and analysed via 1 H NMR. After 10 minutes, ca.60% conversion to product 1b was detected. Complete consumption of substrate 1b was observed in 15 minutes with 2b as the major (i.e. > 98%) product. [0233] Exemplary Procedure 4: Desulphurative fluorination of ^-sulphido esters with Xtalfluor-E® and PPHF In a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere 2a (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged and dis- solved with 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 . PPHF was added (0.2 mL) followed by addition of Xtalfluor-E® (0.24 mmol, 1.2 equiv). The reaction was monitored via 1 H NMR: 0.1 mL of crude solution were rapidly evaporated under high vacuum (P < 0.2 mbar), dissolved in 0.4 mL of CDCl 3 and analysed via 1 H NMR. After 15 minutes, complete consumption of 2a was observed and desired 2b was detected as the sole product. [0234] Exemplary Procedure 5: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic ^-sulphido es- ters with difluoroiodo toluene In a flame-dried round flask flushed with N 2 atmosphere 1b (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged and dissolved with 1 mL of deuterated methylene chloride (CD 2 Cl 2 ). Difluoroiodo tol- uene (0.24 mmol, 1.2 equiv) was then added under vigorous stirring. A gradual colour change was observed: the solution changed from clear faint-yellow to clear amber and re- verse in ca.20 minutes. The reaction was monitored via 1 H NMR: 0.1 mL of crude solution were diluted in 0.3 mL of CDCl 3 and analysed via 1 H NMR. In 30 minutes, the intermediate species were completely consumed with the almost exclusive (> 95%) formation of desired product 2b. [0235] Exemplary Procedure 6: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic ^-sulphido es- ters with molecular bromine In a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere 1b (0.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was charged and dissolved with 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 .0.2 mL of PPHF were added followed by dropwise addition of 0.2 mL of a premade 1 M solution of Br 2 in CH 2 Cl 2 . After 10 minutes at room tem- perature, the crude solution was rapidly evaporated under high vacuum (P < 0.2 mbar), dissolved in 0.4 mL of CDCl 3 and analysed via 1 H NMR. Complete consumption of 1b was observed and a mixture of desired fluorinated 2b and brominated 2b’ was detected in a 37:63 ratio. [0236] Exemplary Procedure 7: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic β-sulfido esters with PIDA/I 2 and PPHF In a plastic vessel, PhI(OAc) 2 (1.2 eq.), I 2 (0.6 eq.) and 1b (1 eq.) were dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 (0.13 M) with vortex stirring for a few seconds until the iodine was completely dissolved. The dark purple solution was stirred for 5 minutes under N 2, and then PPHF (0.1 mL for 1 mmol of starting material) was added by a plastic syringe through a septum. After 5 minutes a reaction aliquot was quenched with water and the organic phase was dried under vacuum. The reaction was performed in the dark. The crude was diluted with CDCl 3 , and the product distribution was analysed by 1 H and 19 F NMR. Conversion was 100% after 5 minutes of reaction with 96% yield of the desired product 2b. [0237] Exemplary Procedure 8: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic β-sulfido esters with PIDA/I 2 and triethylamine-HF In a plastic vessel, PhI(OAc) 2 (1.2 eq.), I 2 (0.6 eq.) and 1b (1 eq.) were dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 (0.13 M) under vortex stirring for few seconds, until the iodine was completely dissolved. The dark purple solution was stirred for 5 minutes under N 2, and then triethylamine-HF (0.1 mL for 1 mmol of starting material) was added by a plastic syringe through a septum. After 5 minutes a reaction aliquot was quenched with water and the organic phase was dried under vacuum. The reaction was performed in the dark. The crude was diluted with CDCl 3 , and the product distribution was analysed by 1 H and 19 F NMR. [0238] Exemplary Procedure 9: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic β-sulfido esters with Br 2 , PPHF and AgNO 3 AgNO3 (1.2 equiv.) and 1 mL of anhydrous CH2Cl2 were charged in a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere. It was noted that only partial dissolution occurred, and a suspension was obtained. Then, under vigorous stirring (1500 rpm), Br 2 (0.4 mmol, 0.5 equiv.) was added caus- ing an immediate colour change of the organic phase to orange. This was followed by dropwise addition of PPHF (0.2 mL) and vigorous stirring of the resulting mixture for 7 minutes. A gradual color change from brick-orange to yellow and formation of a white precipitate was observed. At this point a solution of methyl 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propanoate 1b (0.18 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 was added dropwise at room temperature and under vigorous stirring. During the reaction time (6 min) the reaction mixture changed its colour from light yellow to cream white. Then, the reaction was quenched by addition of water (4 mL), the bi- phasic mixture stirred for a further 2 min, the organic layer separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with additional CH 2 Cl 2 (2 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and the solvent removed in vacuo to give methyl 3-fluoro- 3-phenylpropanoate 2b in 98% isolated yield and high purity as confirmed by 1 H and 19 F NMR. [0239] Exemplary Procedure 10: Desulphurative fluorination of racemic β-sulfido esters with I 2 , PPHF and AgNO 3 In a plastic vessel flushed with N 2 atmosphere were charged AgNO 3 (1.2 equiv.) and 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 . It was noted that only partial dissolution occurred and a suspension was obtained. Then, under vigorous stirring (1500 rpm), iodine (0.5 equiv.) was added, causing an immediate color change of the organic phase to black/violet; this was followed by dropwise addition of PPHF (0.2 mL) and vigorous stirring of the resulting mixture for 10 minutes. No color change and no solid precipitation was observed during this period. At this point a solution of methyl 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propanoate 1b (0.18 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) in 1 mL of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 was added dropwise at room temperature and under vigorous stirring. A gradual colour change from black/violet to light brown was observed during the reaction. After 40 minutes, the reaction was quenched by addition of water (4 mL), the biphasic mixture stirred for a further 2 min; the organic layer separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with additional CH 2 Cl 2 (2 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and the solvent removed in vacuo to give methyl 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanoate 2b in 98%iso- lated yield and high purity as confirmed by 1 H and 19 F NMR. [0240] Exemplary Preparations of Fluorinable Tags 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propanoic acid (3) 1 To a mixture of trans-cinnamic acid (740.8 mg, 5.0 mmol) and thiophenol (770 ^L, 826.2 mg, 7.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv), iodine (253.8 mg, 1.0 mmol, 20 mol%) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The reaction was quenched by addition of an ice cold 1 Gao, S. et. al. Tetrahedron 2006, 47, 1889-1893. saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate (10 mL). The mixture was extracted twice with CH 2 Cl 2 (2 x 15 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt, 5:1 to 100% AcOEt) afforded the pure compound (3) (1.21 g, 4.66 mmol, 93% yield) as an orange solid. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.34 - 7.25 (m, 10H), 4.64 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (dd, J = 7.5, 2.0 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 176.43, 140.31, 136.66, 133.50, 129.03, 128.67, 128.11, 127.81, 127.77, 48.84, 40.66. 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropanoic acid (4) To a mixture of trans-cinnamic acid (444.5 mg, 3.0 mmol) and 4-methoxythiophenol (553 ^L, 630.4 mg, 4.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv), iodine (152.3 mg, 0.6 mmol, 20 mol%) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15h. The reaction was quenched by addition of an ice cold saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate (10 mL). The mixture was extracted twice with CH 2 Cl 2 (2 x 15 mL) and the combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/Ac- OEt, 5:1 to 100% AcOEt) afforded the pure compound (4) (769.9 mg, 2.67 mmol, 89% yield) as an orange solid. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.21-7.10 (m, 7H), 6.70 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.41 (t, J = 7.7 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.90 (dd, J = 7.7, 3.4 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 176.36, 147.27, 140.54, 136.91, 134.09, 128.58, 127.81, 127.66, 123.49, 114.55, 55.43, 49.71, 40.26. Ethyl 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propanoate (5) 2 2 Canestrari, D. et. al. Org. Lett.2017, 19, 918-921. Thiophenol (6.73 mL, 7.22 g, 65.5 mmol, 1.1 equiv) and triethylamine (800 μL, 600.0 mg, 6.0 mmol, 0.1 equiv) were added to the ethyl cinnamate (10.0 mL, 10.5 g, 59.5 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 24 h. The crude mixture was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt, 95:5) to afford the desired sulfa-Mi- chael compound (16.8 g, 58.5 mmol, 98% yield) as a white solid (5). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^7.24 – 7.14 (m, 10H), 4.56 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 4.01-3.91 (m, 2H), 2.88 (dd, J = 14.5, 6.1 Hz, 1H), 2.82 (dd, J = 14.6, 7.3 Hz, 1H), 1.06 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^170.82, 140.67, 133.83, 133.47, 128.95, 128.55, 127.89, 127.80, 127.63, 60.80, 49.31, 41.17, 14.19 ^ Ethyl 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropanoate (6) 4-methoxythiophenol (8.1 mL, 9.18 g, 65.5 mmol, 1.1 equiv) and triethylamine (800 μL, 600.0 mg, 6.0 mmol, 0.1 equiv) were added to the ethyl cinnamate (10.0 mL, 10.5 g, 59.5 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 24 h. The crude mixture was purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt, 95:5) to afford the desired sulfa-Michael compound (16.8 g, 58.5 mmol, 98% yield) as a white solid (6). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.23 - 7.13 (m, 7H), 6.73 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.45 (t, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 4.08 – 3.95 (m, 1H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 2.90 (dd, J = 14.5, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 2.85 (dd, J = 14.5, 7.1 Hz, 1H), 1.11 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 3H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^170.94, 160.11, 140.82, 136.74, 128.43, 127.81, 127.48, 123.77, 114.46, 60.74, 55.39, 50.14, 40.71, 14.20 ^ 3-Phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propan-1-ol (7) 3 3 Canestrari, D. et. al. Chem. Sci.2019, 10, 9042-9050. To a solution of sulphide (5) (334.9 mg, 1.2 mmol) in dry THF (2 mL) was added dropwise a solution of LiAlH 4 1M/THF (585 ^L, 0.6 mmol, 0.5 equiv) at 0 ºC. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and was stirred for 24 h. The reaction was quenched by addition of a saturated solution of NH 4 Cl (7 mL) and the mixture was extracted with Et 2 O (3 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired compound (7) (274.6 mg, 1.12 mmol, 96% yield) as a pale yel- low oil, which could be used without further purification. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.21- 7.11 (m, 10H), 4.28 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.74 – 3.61 (m, 1H), 3.60 – 3.46 (m, 1H), 2.22 – 2.12 (m, 1H), 2.11 – 2.02 (m, 1H), 1.36 (br s, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^141.86, 134.70, 132.66, 128.84, 128.61, 127.91, 127.40, 127.35, 60.66, 50.36, 38.94 ^ ^ ^ ^ 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropan-1-ol (8) To a solution of sulphide (6) (2.53 g, 8.0 mmol) in dry THF (16 mL) was added dropwise a solution of LiAlH 4 1M/THF (4 mL, 4 mmol, 0.5 equiv) at 0 ºC. The reaction mixture was al- lowed to warm up to room temperature and was stirred for 24 h. The reaction was quenched by addition of a saturated solution of NH 4 Cl (40 mL) and the mixture was extracted with Et 2 O (3 x 50 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired compound (6) (2.19 g, 8.0 mmol, quantitative) as a pale yellow solid, which could be used without further purification. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.20 – 7.08 (m, 7H), 6.66 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.10 (t, J = 7.6 Hz, 1H), 3.75 – 3.65 (m, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.59 – 3.49 (m, 1H), 2.21 – 1.99 (m, 2H), 1.34 (br s, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^159.82, 142.01, 136.18, 128.51, 127.98, 127.28, 124.57, 114.39, 60.88, 55.41, 51.62, 38.37 ^ 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propyl methanesulfonate (9) 3 To a stirred solution of 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propan-1-ol (7) (1.62 g, 6.6 mmol) and methanesulfonyl chloride (718 μL, 1.06 g, 9.3 mmol, 1.4 equiv) in dry CH 2 Cl 2 (15 mL) was added dropwise triethylamine (1.25 mL, 938 mg, 9.3 mmol, 1.4 equiv) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach rt and stirred overnight, then diluted with H 2 O (25 mL) and extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O (3 x 50 mL), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt - 4:1) afforded the desired compound (9) as a yellow oil (2.08 g, 6.45 mmol, 97% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.10 - 6.98 (m, 10H), 4.18 – 4.07 (m, 2H), 3.96 – 3.90 (m, 1H), 2.69 (s, 3H), 2.25 – 2.07 (m, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^140.59, 133.86, 133.07, 132.61, 128.98, 128.79, 127.87, 127.80, 67.65, 49.65, 37.33, 35.48 ^ ^ ^ 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropyl methanesulfonate (10) To a solution of 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropan-1-ol (8) (2.2 g, 8.0 mmol) and methanesulfonyl chloride (865 μL, 1.28 g, 11.2 mmol, 1.4 equiv) in dry CH 2 Cl 2 (18 mL) was added dropwise triethylamine (1.5 mL, 1.12 g, 11.2 mmol, 1.4 equiv) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach rt and stirred overnight, then diluted with H 2 O (25 mL) and extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 50 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O (3 x 50 mL), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt - 4:1) afforded the desired compound (10) as a pale yellow oil (2.33 g, 6.61 mmol, 83% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.30 – 7.15 (m, 7H), 6.76 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.34 (virt dt, J = 10.3, 6.0 Hz, 1H), 4.21 – 4.07 (m, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 2.90 (s, 3H), 2.44 – 2.24 (m, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^160.05, 140.75, 136.41, 128.67, 127.91, 127.65, 123.74, 114.50, 67.79, 55.39, 50.60, 37.31, 34.88 ^ (3-azido-1-phenylpropyl)(phenyl)sulfane (11) To a solution of (9) (2.08 g, 6.45 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) was added sodium azide (1.05 g, 16.1 mmol, 2.5 equiv) portionwise and the mixture was heated under stirring to 60 ºC for 21 h. After cooling to rt, a mixture of EtOH/H 2 O (7:3, 30 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 1h at rt. The mixture was extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 100 mL) and the combined or- ganic layers were washed with a saturated solution of LiCl (75 mL) and brine (4 x 75 mL). The resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ), concentrated in vacuo and the residue was coevaporated with heptane to afford the desired azide (11) (1.59 g, 5.9 mmol, 91% yield) as an orange oil which could be used without further purification. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.22 – 7.13 (m, 10H), 4.18 (dd, J = 8.4, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 3.33 (dt, J = 12.5, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (dt, J = 12.5, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.21 – 2.10 (m, 1H), 2.09 – 2.01 (m, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^140.99, 134.31, 132.82, 128.94, 128.74, 127.89, 127.65, 127.59, 50.64, 49.29, 35.45 ^ ^ (3-azido-1-phenylpropyl)(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfane (12) To a solution of (10) (2.33 g, 6.61 mmol) in DMF (20 mL) was added sodium azide (1.07 g, 16.5 mmol, 2.5 equiv) portionwise and the mixture was heated under stirring to 60 ºC for 21 h. After cooling to rt, a mixture of EtOH/H 2 O (7:3, 30 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 1 h at rt. The mixture was extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 100 mL) and the combined organic layers were washed with a saturated solution of LiCl (75 mL) and brine (4 x 75 mL). The resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ), concentrated in vacuo and the residue was coevaporated with heptane to afford the desired azide (12) (1.84 g, 6.14 mmol, 93% yield) as an orange oil which could be used without further purification. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.21 – 7.07 (m, 7H), 6.67 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.01 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.33 (dt, J = 12.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.15 (dt, J = 12.6, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.17 – 1.99 (m, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^159.95, 141.18, 136.25, 128.63, 127.93, 127.51, 124.22, 114.48, 55.40, 51.77, 49.38, 34.92 ^ ^ ^ 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propanenitrile (13) To a mixture of trans-cinnamonitrile (6.3 mL, 6.5 g, 50.0 mmol) and lithium hydroxide (1.2 g, 50.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was added thiophenol (5.4 mL, 5.8 g, 52.5 mmol, 1.05 equiv) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 days. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 100 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography on silica gel (Pe- troleum ether/AcOEt – 96:4) afforded the desired compound (13) (8.3 g, 34.6 mmol, 69% yield) as a yellow oil. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.41 – 7.30 (m, 10H), 4.41 (t, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H), 2.90 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^138.40, 133.94, 132.68, 129.43, 129.10, 128.80, 128.66, 127.58, 117.29, 49.44, 25.24 ^ ^ 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropanenitrile (14) To a mixture of trans-cinnamonitrile (628 μL, 645.6 mg, 5.0 mmol) and lithium hydroxide (120 mg, 5.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was added 4-methoxybenzenethiol (646 μL, 736.4 mg, 5.25 mmol, 1.05 equiv) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 days. Water was added and the mixture was extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 20 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. Purification of the residue by flash chromatog- raphy on silica gel (Petroleum ether/AcOEt – 96:4) afforded the desired compound (14) (560.2 mg, 2.1 mmol, 42% yield) as yellow needles. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ 7.28 – 7.19 (m, 7H), 6.75 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.19 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 2.79 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) ^ ^160.65, 138.59, 136.87, 128.99, 128.51, 127.58, 122.76, 117.46, 114.94, 55.50, 50.10, 24.81. 3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propan-1-amine (15) A solution of azide (11) (0.5 mmol) in cyclopentylmethylether (0.25 M) was charged in a round bottomed flask fitted with a magnetic follower and diphenyldisiloxane (DPDS, 1.5 equiv) was then added. To this solution was added PPh 3 (0.1 equiv) and the reaction was left at room temperature for 24 h. Then water was added (10 equiv), the reaction stirred until gas was evolution finished and subsequently dilution with Et 2 O and addition of 0.5 ml of 4.0 M HCl in dioxane provided the desired amine (15) as a precipitate (HCl salt). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 7.46- 7.18 (m, 10H), 4.15 (t, J = 8, 1H), 2.59 (t, J = 6, 2H), 2.25 (m, 2H), 1.9 (b, 2H); ^ 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 139.1, 136.8, 136.6, 128.9, 128.8, 128.7, 128.6, 47.7, 41.7, 37.1. 3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropan-1-amine (16) A solution of azide (12) (0.5 mmol) in cyclopentylmethylether (0.25 M) was charged in a round bottomed flask fitted with a magnetic follower and diphenyldisiloxane (DPDS, 1.5 equiv) was then added. To this solution was added PPh 3 (0.1 equiv) and the reaction was left at room temperature for 24 h. Then water was added (10 equiv), the reaction stirred until gas was evolution finished and subsequently dilution with Et 2 O and addition of 0.5 ml of 4.0 M HCl in dioxane provided the desired amine (16) as a precipitate (HCl salt). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 7.35- 7.12 (m, 9H), 4.18 (t, J = 8, 1H), 2.58 (t, J = 6, 2H), 2.22 (m, 2H), 1.3 (b, 2H); ^ 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 157.1, 139.5, 136.8, 136.6, 130.9, 128.9, 128.8, 128.1, 125.7, 112.8, 53.9, 41.7, 40.1, 37.4. 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropanoic acid (17) Obtained reacting (5) or (6) under the NBS PPHF conditions; yields 79% after column chro- matography (Petroleum Ether : AcOEt 90:10 plus 1% AcOH), 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 12.6 (br s, 1H), 7.53−7.32 (m, 5H), 6.06-5.87 (ddd, 1H, J = 47, 9, 4 Hz), 3.19-3.07 (ddd, 1H, J = 16, 13, 9 Hz), 2.98-2.82 (ddd, 1H, J = 32, 16, 4 Hz); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 175.9, 138.5, 138.2, 129.1, 128.8, 128.6, 128.2, 125.7, 90.4 (d, J = 172.5 Hz), 42.3, 42.1; 19 F NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ -172.4 (ddd, 1F, J = 46, 33, 1 Hz). 3-fluoro-3-phenylpropan-1-ol (18) Obtained reacting (7) or (8) under the NBS PPHF conditions; yields 85% after column chro- matography (Petroleum Ether : AcOEt 90:10). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 7.47 – 7.28 (m, 5H, ArH), 5.66 (ddd, J = 48, 9, 4 Hz, 1H), 3.94 – 3.74 (m, 2H), 2.30 – 1.96 (m, 2H), 1.32 (b, 1H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 139.9, 128.5, 128.3, 125.7, 92.3 (d, J = 169 Hz), 59.1, 39.9, 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ -177.5. (3-azido-1-fluoropropyl)benzene (19) Obtained reacting (11) or (12) under the NBS PPHF conditions; yields 92% after column chro- matography (Petroleum Ether : AcOEt 90:10). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 7.32-7.24 (m, 5H), 5.61 (ddd, J = 46, 8, 4 Hz, 1H), 3.29-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.31-2.22 (m, 2H), 1.52-1.39 (2H, m). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 137.8, 128.9, 127.0, 126.1, 93.1 (d, J = 164 Hz), 42.1, 32.9. [0241] Exemplary preparation of further fluorinable tags Preparation of 4-(hydroxy(phenyl)methyl)benzoic acid (21) To a solution of NaOH (2 mmol) in CH 3 OH (2 mL) and water (1 mL) was added starting ma- terial 20 (1 mmol). After solid 20 was dissolved, NaBH 4 (1.2 eq.) was added in three portions and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 14 hrs. Then, the reaction was quenched with conc. HCl until pH 1, and the solid so obtained was filtered, washed with water, and dried under vacuum to give pure 21 which was used further without further purification (162 mg, 71% yield); white solid m.p.162-1 o C [Kunitscheck, M.J.; Bonner, W. A. J. Org. Chem. 1961, 26, 2194-7] Preparation of 4-(phenyl(phenylthio)methyl)benzoic acid (22) To a stirred solution of acid 21 (2.0 mmol) in dry THF (4.0 mL), thiophenol (1.2 eq.) and BF 3 Et 2 O (2.0 eq.) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until complete consumption of the starting material was observed by TLC analysis (24 h). The re- action mixture was evaporated and the residue purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc : Pentane 60 : 40) to afford the title compound as a white solid (486 mg, 76% yield); m.p.136-4 o C. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.03-8.01 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.53-7.51 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.41- 7.39 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H), 7.33-7.30 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.27-7.21 (br, 3H), 7.20-7.16 (br, 3H),5.57 (s, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 171.30, 147.29, 140.06, 136.29, 131.03, 132.52, 128.90, 128.76, 128.62, 128.37, 128.09, 127.63, 127.08, 57.48. Preparation of methyl 4-(phenyl(phenylthio)methyl)benzoate (23) To a stirred solution of acid 22 (2.0 mmol) in dry MeOH (4.0 mL) was added dropwise via syringe SOCl 2 (0.5 equiv.) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room tempera- ture and stirred until consumption of the starting material was observed by TLC analysis, then the reaction was concentrated under reduced pressure and extracted with Et 2 O (3 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 SO 4 and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 40:60) to obtain the corresponding ester as a colourless liquid (548 mg, 82% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.97-7.94 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.49-7.47 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 2H), 7.43- 7.38 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H), 7.32-7.29 (t, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 7.24-7.22 (br, 3H), 7.18-7.16 (br, 3H), 5.55 (s, 1H), 3.89 (s, 3H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 168.82, 146.26, 140.19, 136.39, 130.96, 129.88, 129.07, 128.87, 128.71, 128.49, 128.37, 127.57, 127.00, 57.41, 52.13. Preparation of (4-(phenyl(phenylthio)methyl)phenyl)methanol (24) To a stirred solution of ester 23 (1.0 mmol) in dry THF (10.0 mL) was added dropwise via syringe LiAlH 4 (1.0 mL, 1.0 M solution in Et 2 O, 0.5 equiv.) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred until consumption of the starting material was observed by TLC analysis, then carefully quenched with saturated aqueous NH 4 Cl solution (10 mL) and extracted with Et 2 O (3 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 SO 4 and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 40:60) to obtain the corresponding alcohol as a brown solid (205 mg, 67% yield), m.p.178 o C dec. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.43-7.39 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.27 (m, 4H), 7.24-7.22 (m, 3H), 7.19- 7.11 (m, 3H), 5.54 (s, 1H), 4.65 (m, 2H), 1.64 (br, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 140.92, 140.52, 139.87, 136.09, 130.43, 128.78, 128.62, 128.60, 128.38, 127.32, 127.25, 126.00, 66.05, 57.11. Preparation of ((4-((methylsulfonyl)methyl)phenyl)(phenyl)methyl)(phenyl)su lfane (25) To a stirred solution of alcohol (144 mg, 0.5 mmol) in dry CH 2 Cl 2 (3.0 mL) were added dropwise methanesulphonyl chloride (54 μL, 79 mg, 0.7 mmol, 1.4 equiv.) and triethylamine (97 μL, 70 mg, 0.7 mmol, 1.4 equiv.) at 0 °C. The reaction mixture was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for 12 h, then diluted with H 2 O (10 mL) and extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 10 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O, brine and dried over Na 2 SO 4 . The solvent was removed in vacuo and the crude mixture was purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 90:10) to afford title compound white solid (155 mg, 81% yield), m.p.144-141 o C. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.43-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.31-7.27 (m, 3H), 7.24-7.21 (m, J = 7.4 Hz, 3H), 7.18-7.13 (m, 2H), 5.53 (s, 1H), 4.53 (s, 2H), 3.63 (s, 3H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.20, 141.32, 139.02, 136.11, 130.57, 128.87, 128.50, 128.31, 128.16, 127.00, 126.77, 126.21, 71.3, 56.2. Preparation of ((4-(azidomethyl)phenyl)(phenyl)methyl)(phenyl)sulfane (26) Mesylate compound 25 (1.5 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (1.0 mL) and sodium azide (1.5 equiv.) was added at 0 °C under N 2 atmosphere. The reaction was allowed to reach room temperature and stirred overnight. Then, H 2 O (5 mL) was added, the aqueous layer was ex- tracted with EtOAc (3 x 10 mL), the combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chro- matography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 70:30) to afford the azide compound as a dense oil (402 mg, 81% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.40-7.38 (m, 4H), 7.33-7.28 (m, 4H), 7.27-7.25 (m, 3H), 7.17- 7.11 (m, 3H), 5.53 (s, 1H), 4.30 (s, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 141.97, 141.43, 139.75, 136.13, 130.75, 128.63, 128.37, 128.36, 128.27, 127.41, 126.81, 126.45, 57.10, 54.6. Preparation of (4-(phenyl(phenylthio)methyl)phenyl)methanamine (27) A solution of azide 26 (0.5 mmol) in cyclopentylmethylether (0.25 M) was charged in a round bottomed flask fitted with a magnetic follower and diphenyldisiloxane (DPDS, 1.5 eq.) was then added. To this solution was added PPh 3 (0.1 eq.) and the reaction was left at room temperature for 24 h. Then water was added (10 eq.), the reaction stirred until gas evolution finished and subsequently diluted with Et 2 O.0.5 mL of 4.0 M HCl in dioxane was then added to give com- pound 27 as the HCl salt (67% yield, 117 mg). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.43-7.32 (m, 4H), 7.31-7.27 (m, 4H), 7.25-7.21 (m, 6H), 5.52 (s, 1H), 4.53 (s, 2H), 2.36 (b, 2.5H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 143.75, 142.66, 138.53, 136.36, 131.67, 128.43, 128.23, 128.11, 128.01, 127.15, 126.95, 126.10, 57.71, 47.81. Preparation of 8-(tert-Butyl-dimethyl-silanyoxy-1-ol) (29) Imidazole (1.86 g, 27.4 mmol, 2 equiv) and t-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (2.27 g, 15.04 mmol, 1.1 equiv.) were added to a solution of 1,8-octanediol 28 (2.0 g, 13.7 mmol, 1 equiv.) in anhy- drous DMF. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 12 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was poured into ice water and the product was extracted with diethyl ether. The com- bined diethyl ether extracts were washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. Flash column chroma- tography on silica gel (eluent: 20% EtOAc/pentane, Rf = 0.75) yielded purified product 29 (2.5 g, 70%). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.63 (t, J = 4.0 Hz, 2 H), 1.47-1.59 (m, 4H), 1.31-1.36 (m, 8H), 0.89 (s, 9 H), 0.04 (s, 6 H). [Matsubara, H.; Maegawa, T.; Kita, Y.; Yokoji, T.; Nomoto, A. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2014, 12, 5442–5447]. Preparation of 8-((tert-butyldimethylsilyl)oxy)octyl methanesulfonate (30) Triethylamine (1.6 mL, 11.51 mmol, 2 equiv.) was added to a solution of 29 (1.5 g, 5.76 mmol, 1 equiv) in anhydrous DCM (10 mL) at 0 o C, which was then stirred for 30 minutes. Methane sulfonyl chloride (0.67 mL, 18.64 mmol, 1.5 equiv) was added dropwise at 0 o C, then the reac- tion mixture was stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. After completion, the reaction was quenched with water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was washed with 2 N HCl followed by aq.10% NaHCO 3 solution and water. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. Flash column chromatography on silica gel yielded purified product 30 (1.84 g, 94%) (eluent: 20% EtOAc/pentane, Rf = 0.8). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 4.22 (t, J = 4 Hz, 2 H), 3.59 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 1.71-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.48-1.52 (m, 2H), 1.31-1.41 (m, 8H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.04 (s, 6H). [Heathcock, C. H.; Finkelstein, B. L.; Jarvi, E. T.; Radel, P. A; Hardley, C. R. J. Org. Chem.1988, 53, 1922- 42]. Preparation of ((8-bromooctyl)oxy)(tert-butyl)dimethylsilane (31) Tetrabutylammonium bromide (2.48 g, 7.7 mmol, 1.5 equiv) was added to a solution of 30 (1.74 g, 5.13 mmol, 1 equiv.) in anhydrous THF (20 mL) at room temperature, which was then refluxed overnight. After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, then quenched with water and extracted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 , filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pres- sure on a rotary evaporator. The resulting crude material was used for the next step without purification. (Starting material was consumed completely (100%); eluent: 10% EtOAc/pentane, Rf = 0.8). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 3.59 (t, J = 4.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.39 (t, J = 8.0 Hz, 2 H), 1.81-1.88 (m, 2H), 1.46-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.43 (m, 2H), 1.30-1.32 (m, 6H), 0.88 (s, 9H), 0.04 (s, 6H). [Jang, C.-S.; Zhou, R.; Gong, J.-X.; Chen, L.-L.; Kurtan, T.; Shen, X.; Guo, Y.-W. Biorg. & Med. Chem. Lett.2011, 21, 1171-1175.] Preparation of tert-butyldimethyl((9-phenyl-9-(phenylthio)nonyl)oxy) silane (33) n-butyl lithium (1.5 equiv., 2.5 M in hexane) was added to a solution of benzyl phenyl thioether (1 equiv.) 32 in anhydrous THF (5 mL) over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 o C under a nitrogen atmos- phere. After stirring for 1 hour at the same temperature, alkyl bromide 31 was added to the reaction mixture over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 o C. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 2 hours at -20 to -10 o C. After complete consumption of starting material 31 (confirmed by TLC), the reaction was poured into ice water and extracted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was then washed with aq. ammonium chloride solution and concentrated in vacuo. Flash column chromatography on silica gel provided purified products. Purified Yield: 89%, colourless liquid; (eluent: 0.5% EtOAc/pentane, Rf = 0.5); 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 6.92-7.46 (m, 10H), 4.11 (dd, J = 8.6, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.58 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.88-1.99 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.24- 1.35 (m, 10H), 0.89 (s, 9H), 0.04 (s, 6H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.3, 135.2, 132.2 (2C), 128.5 (2C), 128.2 (2C), 127.7 (2C), 126.9, 126.8, 63.3, 53.6, 36.2, 32.8, 29.4, 29.3, 29.2, 27.5, 25.9 (3C), 25.7, 18.3, -5.3 (2C). HRMS (ESI, ToF) calculated empirical mass (M + Na) (C 27 H 42 OSSiNa) 465.2623; found 465.2616. Preparation of of 9-phenyl-9-(phenylthio)nonan-1-ol (34) To a solution of compound 33 (1 mmol) in THF (5 mL), kept at 0 °C by an ice bath, was added 1 M TBAF solution in THF (1 equiv.) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min. The re- action was then poured into ice water and extracted with diethyl ether. The organic layer was washed with aq. ammonium chloride solution and concentrated in vacuo. Yield: 90%; white solid, m.p. 181-177 o C. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) δ 7.16-7.28 (m, 10H), 4.11 (dd, J = 8.6, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.61 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 2H), 1.92-1.96 (m, 2H), 1.50-1.57 (m, 2H), 1.25-1.37(m, 10H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.2, 135.1, 132.2 (2C), 128.5 (2C), 128.2 (2C), 127.7 (2C), 126.9, 126.8, 63.0, 53.6, 36.2, 32.8, 29.3, 29.2, 29.1, 27.5, 25.6. HRMS (ESI, ToF) calculated (M + Na) 351.1759; found 351.1754. Preparation of 9-phenyl-9-(phenylthio)nonyl methanesulfonate (35) To the solution of alcohol 34 (1.0 g, 3.0 mmol, 1 equiv.) in anhydrous DCM (10 mL) was added triethylamine (0.84 mL, 6.0 mmol, 2 equiv.) at 0 °C, which was then stirred for 30 minutes. Methane sulfonyl chloride (0.35 mL, 4.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv.) was added dropwise at 0 °C, then the reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. After completion the reaction was quenched with water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was washed with 2 N HCl followed by aq.10% NaHCO 3 solution and water. The organic layer was dried over anhy- drous Na 2 SO 4 , filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. Flash column chromatography on silica gel provided purified product with yield: 98%; (eluent: 20% EtOAc/pentane, Rf = 0.5); white solid, m.p.165-163; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.16 – 7.27 (m, 10H), 4.19 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 4.10 (dd, J = 8.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.98 (s, 3H), 1.80 – 2.02 (m, 2H), 1.62 – 1.76 (m, 2H), 1.20 – 1.39 (m, 10H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.2, 135.1, 132.3, 128.6, 128.3, 127.7, 126.9, 126.9, 70.1, 53.6, 37.3, 36.2, 29.0, 29.1, 29.1, 28.8, 27.5, 25.3. Preparation of (4-azido-2,2,2,2,2-pentamethyl-2-phenyl-2λ9-butan-2-yl)(phe nyl)sulfane (36) Mesylate compound 35 (1.5 mmol) was dissolved in DMF (1.0 mL) and then sodium azide (1.5 equiv.) was added at 0 °C under N 2 atmosphere. The reaction was allowed to reach rt and stirred overnight. Then, H 2 O (5 mL) was added, the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 10 mL), the combined organic layers were washed with H 2 O, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography (silica gel; petroleum ether/EtOAc, 70:30) to afford 36 as a solid (402 mg, 81% yield), m.p.121-119 o C. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.28 – 7.15 (m, 10H), 4.18 (t, J = 6.6 Hz, 2H), 3.31 (dt, J = 12.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 2.02 – 1.81 (m, 2H), 1.76 – 1.61 (m, 2H), 1.41 – 1.18 (m, 10H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.2, 135.1, 132.3, 128.6, 128.3, 127.7, 126.9, 126.9, 54.6, 49.1, 36.2, 29.0, 29.1, 29.1, 28.8, 27.5, 25.3. Preparation of Phenyl(1-phenylhept-6-yn-1-yl)sulfane (38) n-butyl lithium (1.5 equiv., 2.5 M in hexane) was added to a solution of benzyl phenyl thioether (1 equiv.) 32 in anhydrous THF (5 mL) over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 ° C under nitrogen atmos- phere. After stirring for 1 hour at the same temperature, alkyl bromide 37 was added to the reaction mixture over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 o C. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 2 hours at -20 to -10 ° C. After complete consumption of starting material 37 (confirmed by TLC), the reaction was poured into ice water and extracted with diethyl ether. Then, the organic layer was washed with aq. ammonium chloride solution and concentrated in vacuo. Flash col- umn chromatography on silica gel provided purified products. Purified: 100% Pentane, Rf = 0.4); colourless liquid; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.38 – 6.88 (m, 10H), 5.76 (ddt, J = 17.0, 10.1, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 5.06 – 4.86 (m, 2H), 4.12 (dd, J = 8.5, 6.5 Hz, 1H), 2.08 – 1.89 (m, 4H), 1.44 – 1.26 (m, 4H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.2, 138.7, 135.1, 132.3, 128.6, 128.3, 127.7, 126.9, 126.9, 114.39, 53.5, 36.0, 33.5, 28.5, 27.0. Preparation of Phenyl(1-phenylhept-6-yn-1-yl)sulfane (40) n-butyl lithium (1.5 equiv., 2.5 M in hexane) was added to a solution of benzyl phenyl thioether (1 equiv.) 32 in anhydrous THF (5 mL) over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 ° C under a nitrogen atmos- phere. After stirring for 1 hour at the same temperature, alkyl iodide 39 was added to the reaction mixture over 5 minutes at -20 to -10 ° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 2 hours at -20 to -10 ° C. After complete consumption of starting material 37 (confirmed by TLC), the reaction was poured into ice water and extracted with diethyl ether. Then the organic layer was washed with aq. ammonium chloride solution and concentrated in vacuo. Flash col- umn chromatography on silica gel provided purified product with yield: 50%; colourless thick liquid; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.17 – 7.28 (m, 10H), 4.12 (dd, J = 8.6, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.91 – 2.15 (m, 5H), 1.38 – 1.55 (m, 4H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 142.0, 134.9, 132.4, 128.6, 128.3, 127.7, 127.0, 127.0, 84.2, 68.3, 53.5, 35.7, 28.1, 26.7, 18.2. [0242] Exemplary Applications of Tags 5-(1-(3-phenyl-3-(phenylthio)propyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)p yrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (20) To a solution of (11) (134.7 mg, 0.5 mmol) in degassed DMF (8 mL) were added 5-ethynylu- racil (68.1 mg, 0.5 mmol, 1 equiv), copper sulphate pentahydrate (149.8 mg, 0.6 mmol, 1.2 equiv) and sodium ascorbate (297.2 mg, 1.5 mmol, 3 equiv). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h then concentrated in vacuo (until V tot ≈ 2 mL). The concentrated mixture was diluted with brine (10 mL) then extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 20 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (4 x 10 mL), the resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated in Et 2 O to afford the desired com- pound (20) (187.1 mg, 0.46 mmol, 92% yield) as an off-white precipitate. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) ^ 11.39 (s, 1H), 11.20 (br s, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 8.01 (s, 1H), 7.31 – 7.19 (m, 10H), 4.45 – 4.27 (m, 3H), 2.45 (dd, J = 14.6, 7.4 Hz, 2H). 3 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d6) ^ ^162.11, 150.60, 140.53, 139.06, 137.57, 134.00, 131.12, 128.96, 128.48, 127.71, 127.44, 127.07, 122.04, 103.86, 48.76, 47.39, 35.88 ^ 5-(1-(3-((4-methoxyphenyl)thio)-3-phenylpropyl)-1H-1,2,3-tri azol-4-yl)pyrimidine- 2,4(1H,3H)-dione (21) To a solution of (12) (598.8 mg, 2.0 mmol) in degassed DMF (30 mL) were added 5-ethynylu- racil (272.2 mg, 2.0 mmol, 1 equiv), copper sulphate pentahydrate (599.3 mg, 2.4 mmol, 1.2 equiv) and sodium ascorbate (1.19 g, 6.0 mmol, 3 equiv). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h then concentrated in vacuo (until V tot ≈ 5 mL). The concentrated mixture was diluted with brine (30 mL) then extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 75 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (4 x 20 mL), the resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated in Et 2 O to afford the desired com- pound (21) (365.9 mg, 0.84 mmol, 42% yield) as a pale green precipitate. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) ^ 11.39 (s, 1H), 11.19 (br s, 1H), 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.31 – 7.21 (m, 5H), 7.16 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 6.82 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 2H), 4.37 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 2H), 4.09 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.41 (virt dquint, J = 14.0, 7.1 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO ^ ^162.10, 159.23, 150.59, 140.71, 139.02, 137.51, 135.11, 128.38, 127.70, 127.30, 123.52, 122.01, 114.52, 103.88, 55.13, 50.33, 47.43, 35.46 ^ 2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-((benzoyloxy)methyl)-5-(2,4-dioxo-5-(1-(3-phe nyl-3-(phenylthio)propyl)- 1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)tetrahy drofuran-3,4-diyl dibenzoate (22) To a solution of (11) (150.4 mg, 0.56 mmol) in degassed DMF (15 mL) were added 2′,3′,5′- tribenzoate-5-ethynyluridine (324.2 mg, 0.56 mmol, 1 equiv), copper sulphate pentahydrate (167.3 mg, 0.67 mmol, 1.2 equiv) and sodium ascorbate (331.9 mg, 1.68 mmol, 3 equiv). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h then concentrated in vacuo (until V tot ≈ 5 mL). The concentrated mixture was diluted with brine (15 mL) then extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 40 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (4 x 10 mL), the resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chro- matography on silica gel (Petroleum Ether/AcOEt – 6:4) to afford the desired compound (22) (273.5 mg, 0.32 mmol, 58% yield) as a white foamy solid. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 8.91 (b, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 8.28-8.18 (m, 3H), 7.95 (d, J = 8, 2H), 7.84 (d, J = 8, 2H), 7.65-7.21 (m, 18H), 6.21 (s, 1H), 5.86 (s, 2H), 4.81-4.78 (m, 3H), 4.48- 4.32 (m, 2H), 4.14 (t, J = 7, 1H), 2.26-2.49 (m, 2H); 13 C NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 166.4, 165.5, 165.3, 161.0, 130.1, 130.0, 130.0, 128.9, 128.8, 128.6, 128.6, 128.0, 127.9, 122.7, 107.2, 90.8, 88.6, 74.0, 71.2, 63.9, 50.5, 48.2, 36.4. (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-((benzoyloxy)methyl)-5-(5-(1-(3-((4-methoxyp henyl)thio)-3-phenylpro- pyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1 (2H)-yl)tetrahydrofuran-3,4- diyl dibenzoate (23) To a solution of (12) (407.6 mg, 1.36 mmol) in degassed DMF (25 mL) were added 2′,3′,5′- tribenzoate-5-ethynyluridine (790.4 mg, 1.36 mmol, 1 equiv), copper sulphate pentahydrate (407.9 mg, 1.63 mmol, 1.2 equiv) and sodium ascorbate (809.1 mg, 4.08 mmol, 3 equiv). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h then concentrated in vacuo (until V tot ≈ 5 mL). The concentrated mixture was diluted with brine (25 mL) then extracted with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 60 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (4 x 15 mL), the resulting organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO 4 ) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chro- matography on silica gel (Petroleum Ether/AcOEt – 6:4) to afford the desired compound (23) (924.2 mg, 1.05 mmol, 77% yield) as a white foamy solid. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 8.49 (s, 1H), 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.28 (d, J = 8, 2H), 8.20 (s, 1H), 8.01 (d, J = 8, 2H), 7.86 (d, J = 7, 2H), 7.66-7.21 (m, 11H), 7.18 (d, J = 7, 4H), 6.76 (d, J = 7, 2H), 6.28 (s, 1H), 5.94 (m, 2H), 5.80- 5.74 (m, 3H), 4.49- 4.30 (m, 2H), 3.85-3.80 (m, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.24 (m, 2H); 13 C NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 166.3, 165.3, 165.2, 164.3, 161.2, 160.5, 160.0, 149.0, 136.3, 130.0, 129.9, 129.8, 128.6, 128.5, 128.5, 128.8, 127.6, 122.51, 114.4, 90.6, 90.1, 73.9, 71.1, 63.7, 55.3, 51.4, 48.235.9. (2R,3R,4R,5R)-2-((benzoyloxy)methyl)-5-(5-(1-(3-fluoro-3-phe nylpropyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol- 4-yl)-2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-1(2H)-yl)tetrahydrofura n-3,4-diyl dibenzoate (24) In a plastic vessel containing a suspension of N-bromosuccinimide (15.8 mg, 0.09 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) in CH 2 Cl 2 (0.5 mL) at -20 °C under N 2 was added HF/pyridine complex (ca. 70% HF) (75 μL). After 5 min, a solution of 22 (62.7 mg, 0.074 mmol, 1 equiv.) or 23 (65.1 mg, 0.074 mmol, 1 equiv.) in CH 2 Cl 2 (0.5 mL) was added dropwise. After 20 min of stirring at 20 °C, the reaction was quenched by addition of a saturated solution of sodium thiosulfate (5 mL) and the mixture was extracted thrice with CH 2 Cl 2 (3 x 15 mL). The combined organic layers were dried over Na 2 SO 4 and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (Petroleum Ether/AcOEt – 6:4) to afford the desired compound (42.8 mg, 74% from 21 / 46.0 mg, 0.041 mmol, 80% from 23) as a white foamy solid. 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 9.10 (s, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 8.25 (s, 1H), 8.31 (d, J = 7, 2H), 7.99 (d, J = 7, 2H), 7.82 (d, J = 7, 2H), 7.59-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.48- 7.29 (m, 10H), 6.26 (s, 1H), 5.92 (s, 2H), 5.40 (dm, J = 48, 1H), 4.83- 4.76 (m, 3H), 4.59- 4.51 (m, 2H), 2.59-2.45 (2H). 13 C NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 177.5, 166.4, 165.5, 165.3, 161.0, 149.3, 133.9, 133.8, 133.4, 130.0, 129.9, 128.9, 128.8, 128.7, 128.6, 128.6, 128.5, 125.5, 107.1, 92.1, 90.1, 90.4, 80.6, 74.0, 63.9, 46.5, 37.8, 37.6, 29.7, 14.3. 19 F NMR (376 MHz, CDCl 3 ): δ -178.7. [0243] Exemplary preparations of fluorinable amino acids. Starting either from (S)-41 or (R)-41, the synthesis of which has been reported [Corey, E. J., Xu, F.; Noe, M. C. J. Am. Chem. Soc.1997, 119, 12414-12415]. Synthesis herein exempli- fied for the (S) enantiomer. Preparation of tert-butyl (S)-2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-4-oxopentanoate 42 To a solution of compound 42 (1.5 g, 4.29 mmol) in dioxane-water (3:1, 30 mL) were added 2,6-lutidine (1 mL, 8.58 mmol), OsO 4 (2.5% in t-BuOH, 872 µL, 0.0858 mmol) and NaIO 4 in a portion-wise manner (3.67g , 17.16 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature and monitored by TLC. After 4 h the reaction mixture was quenched with sodium sulfite (satu- rated solution), then CH 2 Cl 2 and water were added to the reaction mixture. The organic layer was washed with water (x3) and brine (x2). Then, the organic layer was dried over Na 2 SO 4 , filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The crude product was analysed by NMR. The col- ourless solid was obtained after purification on silica gel column chromatography (EtOAc : petroleum ether 10 : 90), m.p.124-5 o C (1.419 g, 94% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.62 – 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.52 – 7.22 (m, 6H), 6.95 (d, J = 7.7 Hz, 2H), 4.45 (dd, J = 7.1, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 3.14 (dd, J = 17.0, 5.8 Hz, 1H), 2.94 (dd, J = 17.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H), 2.16 (s, 3H), 1.43 (s, 9H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 202.7, 173.8, 166.2, 136.5, 134.8, 130.9, 129.2, 129.1, 128.7, 128.6, 128.0, 84.5, 69.5, 41.9, 29.1, 27.8. Preparation of tert-butyl (S)-2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-4-hydroxy-4-methylpentano- ate 43 A 3.0 M solution of methyl magnesium bromide in Et 2 O (1 mL, 1 equiv.) was added to a solution of compound 42 (1.053 g, 3 mmol) in dry THF (10 mL), kept at -78 o C by an acetone dry ice bath, during a period of 5 min. The reaction was stirred at -78 o C for one hour then allowed to react at room temperature, stirred for an additional hour, then quenched with saturated aque- ous NH 4 Cl. The crude mixture was extracted with EtOAc (3 x 5 mL), the organic layer dried over Na 2 SO 4 , and the oil so obtained purified by flash chromatography (eluent AcOEt : petro- leum ether 25 : 75) to give 43 as a dense oil (792 mg, 72% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.61 – 7.20 (m, 8H), 6.93 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 2H), 4.43 (dd, J = 7.0, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.75 (m, 2H) 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.25 (s, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 175.1, 165.8, 134.6, 134.1, 131.0, 129.8, 129.0, 128.9, 128.8, 128.0, 84.2, 69.5, 46.9, 29.8, 28.1. Preparation of tert-butyl (S)-2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-4-methyl-4-(phenylthio)pen- tanoate 44 Thiophenol (1.2 eq.) and BF 3 Et 2 O (2.0 eq.) were added to a stirred solution of alcohol 43 (2.0 mmol) in dry THF (4.0 mL), and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until complete consumption of the starting material was observed by TLC analysis (24 h). The re- action mixture was evaporated and the residue purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc : Petroleum Ether 10 : 90) to give compound 44 as a colourless oil (789 mg, 86% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.66 – 7.23 (m, 8H), 7.21 – 6.80 (m, 7H), 4.02 (m, 1H), 1.68 (m, 2H), 1.42 (s, 9H), 1.38 (s, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 174.8, 166.1, 135.1, 134.8, 134.1, 131.8, 131.6, 131.2, 129.8, 129.7, 129.1, 128.7, 128.1, 127.9, 84.2, 66.1, 44.1, 33.1, 29.1, 28.4. Preparation of (S)-2-amino-4-methyl-4-(phenylthio)pentanoic acid 45 Aqueous HCl (3 M, 30 mL) was added to a solution of 44 (700 mg) in ether (10 mL) at room temperature under N 2 and the biphasic mixture was stirred overnight (18 h). The organic layer was separated, washed with CH 2 Cl 2 (2 x 10 mL) and the aqueous layer was lyophilized to give compound 45 as a solid; m.p.220-218 o C; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 12.23 (br, 1H), 7.41 – 7.26 (m, 5H), 5.76 (br, 2H), 3.23 (dd, J = 6, J = 4, 1H), 2.12 (dd, J =12, J = 6), 1.98 (dd, J = 12, J = 4), 1.31 (s, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 175.7, 136.2, 131.4, 128.8, 128.5, 45.8, 36.1, 33.8, 29.4. Preparation of (S)-2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-4-methyl-4-(phenylthio)pe ntanoic acid 46 A solution of 45 (100 mg), in methanol (3 mL) was treated with triethylamine (1 equiv.) and with di-tert-butyl-dicarbonate (1.2 equiv.). The reaction mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 2 hours, then the solvent was evaporated, the crude washed with saturated NH 4 Cl, the organic layer dried over Na 2 SO 4 and evaporated to give pure 46 as a wax (99% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ (12.10 br, 1H), 7.39 – 7.21 (m, 5H), 4.12 (dd, J = 7, J = 3, 1H), 2.12 (dd, J =10, J = 7), 1.98 (dd, J = 10, J = 3), 1.45 (s, 9H) 1.34 (s, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 176.6, 156.9, 135.7, 130.9, 128.6, 128.3, 78.9, 51.7, 41.2, 37.7, 29.3, 28.1. Preparation of (S)-2-((((9H-fluoren-9-yl)methoxy)carbonyl)amino)-4-methyl-4 -(phenyl- thio)pentanoic acid 47 A solution of 45 (100 mg), in methanol (3 mL) was treated with triethylamine (1 equiv) and with FmocCl (1.2 equiv.). The reaction mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 1 hour, then the solvent was evaporated, the crude washed with water, the organic layer dried over Na 2 SO 4 and evaporated to give pure 47 as a wax (98% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 12.0 (br, 1H), 7.55 – 7.23 (m, 13H), 4.73 (m, 2H), 4.37 (m, 1H), 4.34 (dd, J = 7, J = 5, 1H), 2.08 (dd, J = 8, J = 7), 1.92 (dd, J = 8, J = 5), 1.36 (s, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 175.1, 171.6, 144.3, 142.9, 135.1, 131.7, 128.2, 128.0, 126.1, 125.4, 124.8, 120.0, 53.1, 43.3, 41.2, 37.6, 28.3, 21.0. Preparation of methyl (S)-2-amino-4-methyl-4-(phenylthio)pentanoate 48 A solution of 45 (100 mg), in methanol (3 mL) was treated with acetyl chloride (0.1 equiv.) and the resulting solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction was then evap- orated, the crude was taken up in ethyl acetate (10 mL), washed with saturated NaHCO 3 aqueous solution and the organic layer evaporated to give compound 48 as an oil (99% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.24 (br, 2H), 7.45-7.23 (m, 5H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.75 (m, 1H), 2.15 – 2.10 (m, 2H), 1.33 (m, 6H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 177.1, 135.8, 131.2, 128.7, 128.1, 51.2, 49.1, 36.8, 34.1, 29.9. Preparation of 2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-methyl-3-(phenylthio)butano ic acid 50 The preparation of compound 49 has been described [Poisel, H, Chem. Berichte, 1977, 110, 948-953]. NaH (2.0 equiv) and PhSH (1.2 equiv.) were sequentially added to a solution of compound 49 (645 mg, 3 mmol) in 10 mL of THF, kept at 0 °C by an ice bath. The reaction mixture was then allowed to reach room temperature and stirred for 12 hours. Then, the solvent was evaporated, the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate (5 mL), washed with sat NH 4 Cl solution, the organic layer collected, dried over Na 2 SO 4 and evaporated to give pure compound 50 as a wax (887mg, 91% yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 12.2 (br, 1H), 7.28 – 7.23 (m, 5H), 5.21 (br, 1H), 4.45 (s, 1H), 1.62 (s, 6H), 1.45 (s, 9H); 13 C NMR (101 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 175.1, 155.5, 135.1, 131.4, 128.2, 128.6, 79.1, 71.1, 45.2, 28.9, 22.8. Resolution of compound 50, isolation of (+)-2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-methyl-3- (phenylthio)butanoic acid (+)-50 Racemate 50 (650 mg, 2 mmol) was dissolved in THF (10 mL) and (R)-1-phenylethan-1-amine (0.6 equiv, 145 mg) added. The solution so obtained was refluxed for 5 min. The solution was then allowed to reach room temperature. After 6 h a solid precipitated and was collected, washed with dry Et 2 O and confirmed by 1 H-NMR to be a single diasteroisomer (225 mg, 26% yield). This salt was suspended in DCM (5 mL), treated with sat. aq. NH 4 Cl, the organic layer separated, dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to give compound (+)-50; [α]D 20 = +54. Dimethyl (2S,4S)-2-((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-4-(phenylthio)pentane dioate Thiophenol (1.2 eq.) and BF 3 Et 2 O (2.0 eq.) were added to a stirred solution of Dimethyl (2S)-2- ((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)-4-hydroxypentanedioate (600mg, 2.06 mmol) in dry THF (4.0 mL), and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until complete consumption of the starting material was observed by TLC analysis (24 h). The reaction mixture was evaporated and the residue purified by flash column chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc : Petroleum Ether 10 : 90) to give title compound as a colourless oil (639 mg, 81%yield). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 7.49-7.45 (2H, m), 7.32-7-26 (m, 3H), 4.96 (app d, J = 8 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (app t, J = 4 Hz, 1H), 3.72 (s, 3H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.30-2.23 (m, 1H), 2.14 (ddd, J = 16, 8, 6 Hz), 1.43 (s, 9H). Numbered Clauses Further embodiments of the present invention are described in the following numbered clauses. 1. A process for incorporating a fluorine atom into a molecule, said process comprising converting a compound of Formula (I) into a compound of Formula (II): wherein G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, and X is an organic group; and wherein the SG group is attached to a secondary or tertiary carbon atom in the organic group X; said process comprising treating said compound of Formula (I) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 2. The process according to clause 1 which comprises simultaneously treating the com- pound of Formula (I) with said activator and said source of fluoride. 3. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein the fluorine is 18 F. 4. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein G is a phenyl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted by one or more substituents independently selected from alkoxy, nitro, halo, and alkyl, or wherein G is selected from methyl and trifluoromethyl. 5. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein G is selected from phenyl, ortho-alkoxyphenyl, para-alkoxyphenyl, and ortho,para-dialkoxyphenyl; preferably wherein G is selected from phenyl and para-methoxyphenyl. 6. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein the activator compound is selected from the group consisting of N-bromosuccinimide, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-fluoro- benzenesulfonimide, N-chlorobenzenesulfonimide, N-bromobenzenesulfonimide, diethylaminosulfur trifluoride, diethylaminodifluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, morpholinodi- fluorosulfinium tetrafluoroborate, and bromine; and is more preferably, N-bromosuccinimide or N-chlorosuccinimide. 7. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein the source of fluoride is a fluoride phase transfer catalyst. 8. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is selected from the group consisting of metal fluoride salts, complexes or chelates of hydrogen fluoride or metal fluoride salts, and tetraalkylammonium fluorides. 9. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is a metal fluoride salt, preferably an alkali metal salt. 10. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is pyridine-HF. 11. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is a crown ether complex of a metal fluoride, preferably a crown ether complex of an alkali metal fluoride. 12. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is a C 1 -C 4 tetraalkylammonium fluoride, preferably wherein the source of fluoride is tetrabu- tylammonium fluoride. 13. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the source of fluoride is pyridine-HF and the activator is N-bromosuccinimide. 14. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 6, wherein the activator and the source of fluoride are the same. 15. The process according to clause 14, wherein the activator and the source of fluoride are N-fluorobenzenesulfonimide. 16. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein the process is carried out in an organic solvent, an aqueous solvent, or combinations thereof; preferably wherein the pro- cess is carried out in dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylsulfoxide, acetonitrile, benzonitrile, ethanol, methanol, toluene, water, and combinations thereof. 17. The process according to any preceding clause, wherein the process is carried out at room temperature. 18. The process according to any preceding clause wherein the organic group X is of For- mula L-Y, where L is a direct bond or a covalent linker group, and Y is selected from the group consisting of a labelling agent, a dye, an amino acid, a peptide, a peptoid, a drug mol- ecule or fragment thereof, an antibody or fragment thereof, a protein, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a nucleobase, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide, a polynucleotide, a peptide nu- cleic acid, and derivatives thereof. 19. The process according to any preceding clause, which process comprises the step of converting a compound of Formula (IIa) to a compound of Formula (Ia): (IIa) (Ia) wherein: R 1 and R 2 are each independently an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group; R 3 is H or an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl group; wherein any two of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 or all of R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 may optionally form one or more cyclic groups. 20. The process according to clause 19 wherein: R 1 and R 2 are each independently an optionally substituted aliphatic group; and R 3 is H or an optionally substituted aliphatic group. 21. The process according to clause 19 wherein: R 1 is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl group; R 2 is an optionally substituted aliphatic group; and R 3 is H or an optionally substituted aliphatic group. 22. The process according to clause 19, wherein the carbon to which the R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and SG groups are bonded in Formula (IIa) is a stereogenic centre and the conversion of the compound of Formula (IIa) to Formula (Ia) results in at least partial inversion of the stereo- chemical configuration of the corresponding carbon atom to which F is bonded in Formula (Ia) with respect to that of Formula (IIa); preferably complete inversion. 23. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 for incorporating a fluorine atom into a peptide, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (III) into the backbone of a peptide to form a peptide precursor, wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (i) a source of fluoride. 24. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 for incorporating a fluorine into a peptoid, said process comprising the steps of: (a) incorporating at least one compound of Formula (IV) into the backbone of a peptoid to form a peptoid precursor, wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; and (b) treating the peptoid precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (i) a source of fluoride. 25. The process according to clause 23 or clause 24 wherein L is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10, and each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, al- kyl, aryl and COOH, NH 2 . 26. The process according to clause 23 or clause 25 wherein said compound of Formula (III) is selected from: 27. The process according to any one of clauses 23, 25 or 26, wherein step (a) com- prises preparing the peptide precursor by solid phase peptide synthesis. 28. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 for incorporating a fluorine atom into an oligo- or poly-nucleotide, the process comprising: (a) preparing an oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the oligo- or poly-nucleotide precursor formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 29. The process according to clause 28 wherein the -SG group is attached via a covalent linker group L to the nucleobase of at least one nucleotide in the oligo- or poly-nucleotide. 30. The process according to clause 28 or clause 29 wherein the -SG group is incorpo- rated by reacting a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; L 1 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase. 31. The process according to clause 30 wherein the -SG group is incorporated by react- ing a compound of Formula (Va), wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; and R 5' is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; with a reactive group on the nucleobase. 32. The process according to clause 30 or clause 31 wherein Z 1 is N 3 and the reactive group on the nucleobase is a -C≡CH group. 33. The process according to clause 30 or clause 31 wherein the compound of Formula (V) is selected from the following: 34. The process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 for incorporating a fluorine atom into a molecule, the process comprising: (a) preparing a precursor molecule comprising at least one -SG group, wherein G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group; (b) treating the precursor molecule formed in step (a) with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccin- imides, N-halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkyla- minosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotoluene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 35. A process according to clause 34 wherein the -SG group is incorporated into the pre- cursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z 2 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , NHR 6 , N 3 , COOH, COOR 7 , OH, CN, CONHR 8 , COR 9 , CHO, CSNHR 10 ; L 2 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 , and R 10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; with a reactive group in the molecule. 36. The process according to clause 35 wherein the -SG group is incorporated into the precursor molecule by reacting a compound of Formula (VIa), wherein m is 1, 2 or 3, and wherein R 4’ is an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group and R 5' is H, an aryl group or a tertiary alkyl group; or wherein R 4’ and R 5’ are both alkyl groups; with a reactive group in the molecule. 37. A process according to clause 36 wherein the compound of Formula (VIa) is selected from the following: 38. The process according to any one of clauses 34 to 37 wherein the molecule is se- lected from the group consisting of nucleosides, nucleotides, oligo- or poly-nucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, amino acids, mono- oligo- and poly-saccharides, peptides, peptoids, proteins and small molecules. 39. Use of a process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 in the preparation of a fluori- nated amino acid or a fluorinated peptide. 40. Use of a process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 in the preparation of a fluori- nated oligonucleotide or polynucleotide. 41. Use of a process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 in the preparation of a fluori- nated pharmacologically active agent, or a fragment thereof, or a precursor or intermediate thereof. 42. Use of a process according to any one of clauses 1 to 22 in the preparation of a fluori- nated radiolabelling agent. 43. Use of a compound of Formula (III) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl, aryl, COOH, and NH 2 ; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptides, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 44. Use of a compound of Formula (IV) wherein: Q 1 is H or an amine protecting group; Q 2 is H or a carboxyl protecting group; L is a linker group; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing fluorinated peptoids, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 45. Use of a compound of Formula (V), (V) wherein: Z 1 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , N 3 , COOH and OH; L 1 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated oligo- or poly-nucleotide, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. 46. Use of a compound of Formula (VI), (VI) wherein: Z 2 is a functional group selected from NH 2 , NHR 6 , N 3 , COOH, COOR 7 , OH, CN and CONHR 8 , COR 9 , CHO, and CSNHR 10 ; L 2 is a linker group (CR 4 R 5 ) n where n is an integer from 1 to 10; each R 4 and R 5 is independently selected from H, alkyl and aryl; R 6 , R 7 , R 8 , R 9 and R 10 are each independently selected from alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; and G is an optionally substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, or an op- tionally substituted heteroaryl group; as an intermediate in a process is for preparing a fluorinated molecule, wherein said process comprises a step of converting a carbon-SG bond to a carbon-F bond by treating with: (i) an activator compound selected from the group consisting of N-halosuccinimides, N- halobenzenesulfonimides, N-halobenzenesulfonamides, dialkylaminodihalosulfinium salts, heterocyclylaminodihalosulfinium salts, dialkylaminosulfur trihalides, XeF 2 , difluoroiodotolu- ene, di- and tri-bromoisocyanuric acids, bromine, chlorine; and other sources of Br + , Cl + , F + , bromonium or chloronium; and (ii) a source of fluoride. Various modifications and variations of the described aspects of the invention will be appar- ent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodi- ments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes of carry- ing out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.