A rapid, mild synthesis of freebase [11C]nicotine from [11C]methyl triflate is reported. Radiochemical yields of 60.4±4.7% were achieved. A reproducible basic pH HPLC purification of freebase [11C]nicotine as a single peak was developed. Freebase [11C]nicotine was formulated in 50 µL of ethanol without evaporative product loss.