A method for generating a radiolabeled tracer. The method includes providing a phosphine molecule having at least one carbocyclic, aromatic, or pyrrolidinyl ring with an OH substitute. The OH of this phosphines molecule is then condensed with an acid to produce a phosphine ester. Staudinger ligation is then performed to generate the radiolabeled tracer by treating the phosphine ester with a radiolabeled azide having a PET radioisotope moiety.