For the first time, the 16O(3He,p)18F reaction has been used for the production of 18F electrophilic reagents. The predominant reactive chemical specie recovered in the single-step postirradiation gases was [18F]F2. Decay curve and Ge(Li) analyses established the main radionuclidic impurities in this nuclear reaction as 11C and 15O. Recovery of the 18F activity was exceptionally high, approaching 90% using an electroformed nickel target body. Consistent 18F recoveries for this nuclear reaction (approximately 70%) were realized with a novel aluminum target body. The utility of the [18F]F2 recovered from this oxygen gas target system in radiopharmaceutical preparations is demonstrated by the successful synthesis of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-dopa (11.0 mCi at EOB) via a fluorodemercuration method.