Abstract: Methods for the production of radionuclides suitable for use in radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, and specifically, to the production of 186Re, 188Re and other radionuclides such as 195mPt and 198Au using an inorganic Szilard-Chalmers reaction. Thin-film and powdered 185 or 187Reo metal targets, and 185 or 187Re oxide/metal oxide target compositions with rhenium in a lower, relatively reduced oxidation state are prepared. The thin-film rhenium targets are aged for at least about 24 hours and then irradiated with neutrons in the present of an oxidizing medium sufficient to form a product nuclide in the higher oxidized state of perrhenate, ReO4−. Significantly, the rate and/or extent of oxidation of target nuclides which do not react with a neutron is controlled. For example, oxidation of such non-bombarded target nuclides is minimized by irradiating under vacuum, controlling the amount of oxidizing agent present, cooling during irradiation, etc.