Production of Cu using natural cobalt target and its separation using ascorbic acid and common anion exchange resin

⁶¹Cu was produced by ^natCo(α, xn)⁶¹Cu reaction. ⁶¹Cu production yield was 89.5 MBq/μAh (2.42 mCi/μAh) at the end of irradiation (EOI). A simple radiochemical separation method using anion exchange resin and ascorbic acid has been employed to separate the product radionuclide from inactive target material and co-produced non-isotopic impurities. The radiochemical separation yield was about 90%. Radiochemical purity of ⁶¹Cu was >99% 1 h after EOI. Final product was suitable for making complex with N₂S₂ type of ligands.