Pertechnetate

The pertechnetate (technetate(VII)) ion is an oxoanion with the chemical formula TcO₄⁻. It is often used as a convenient water-soluble source of isotopes of the radioactive element technetium (Tc). In particular it is used to carry the Tc-99m isotope which is commonly used in nuclear medicine in several nuclear scanning procedures.

Generally, a technetate(VII) is a compound containing this ion. Pertechnetates are salts of technetic(VII) acid. Pertechnetate is analogous to permanganate but it has little oxidizing power.

A technetium-99m generator, also known as a "cow", provides the pertechnetate containing the short-lived isotope Tc-99m for medical uses. This compound is generated directly from molybdate held on alumina within the generator (see this topic for detail). Since technetate(VII) can substitute for iodine in the Na/I Symporter (NIS) Channel in follicular cells of the thyroid gland, inhibiting uptake of iodine into the follicular cells. Tc^99m-pertechnetate is used for nuclear medicine imaging of the thyroid gland.Fact|date=January 2008

Technetate(VII) radiolabeled with Tc99m is also the marker injected into the body looking for ectopic gastric tissue as is found in a Meckel's diverticulum. This nuclear imaging study is otherwise known as a "Meckel's Scan".Fact|date=January 2008

Solutions of technetate(VII) react with the surface of iron to form technetium dioxide, in this way it is able to act as an anodic corrosion inhibitor. Powdered iron is one method of removing it from water.Fact|date=January 2008