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A practical method for the conversion of tetrahydrothebaine to dihydromorphine in 92% yield is described. The procedure should allow more efficient production of opium products and may be easily modified for large-scale synthesis. The conversion of codeine to (8S)-8-bromomorphide, a potentially valuable intermediate to 6-demethoxyoripavine and derivatives, is also described. The absolute configuration of (8S)-8-bromomorphide was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of the hydrobromide salt.

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A very rapid, two-step, virtually quantitative synthesis of hydrocodone from codeine, via the intermediacy of dihydrocodeine, has been developed.

Recent studies demonstrated that post-herpetical and inflammatory pain can be locally managed by morphine gels, empirically chosen. Aiming to rationalize the selection of the most suitable opioid for the cutaneous delivery, we studied the in vitro penetration through human epidermis of eight opioids, evidencing the critical modifications of the morphinan core. Log P, log D, solid-state features and solubility were determined. Docking simulations were performed using supramolecular assembly made of ceramide VI. The modifications on position 3 of the morphinan core resulted the most relevant in determining both physicochemical characteristics and diffusion pattern. The 3-methoxy group weakened the cohesiveness of the crystal lattice structure and increased the permeation flux (J). Computational studies emphasized that, while permeation is essentially controlled by molecule apolarity, skin retention depends on a fine balance of polar and apolar molecular features. Moreover, ChemPLP scoring the interactions between the opioids and ceramide, correlated with both the amount retained into the epidermis (Qret) and J. The balance of the skin penetration properties and the affinity potency for μ-receptors evidenced hydromorphone as the most suitable compound for the induction of local analgesia.

Herein we report a rationally designed, serial point-to-axial and axial-to-point stereoinduction and its integration into multi-step and target-oriented organic synthesis. In this proof-of-concept study, the configurational stability of several carefully designed atropisomeric intermediates and the fidelity of their unconventional stereoinductions were systematically investigated. The highly functionalized prepared synthetic intermediate was further applied in a novel chemical method to access the morphinans and it is potentially applicable to other structurally related alkaloids.

Remarkably simple IrIIIcatalysts enable the isomerization of primary and sec-allylic alcohols under very mild reaction conditions. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and mass spectrometry (MS) studies indicate that the catalysts, with the general formula [Cp*IrIII], require a halide ligand for catalytic activity, but no additives or additional ligands are needed.

The α-benzylation of a deprotonated bicyclic α-aminonitrile, followed by Noyori's asymmetric transfer hydrogenation combined with the Grewe cyclization onto a symmetrical A-ring precursor, are the key steps of a short and high-yielding enantioselective synthesis of the morphinan (-)-dihydrocodeine. This compound can be converted to (-)-thebaine in high yield by known transformations, while (-)-codeine and (-)-morphine are available from an advanced intermediate. (Chemical Equation Presented).

Dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone were synthesized from bromobenzene in 16 and 17 transformations, respectively. The key steps involved the toluene dioxygenase-mediated dihydroxylation of bromobenzene by whole-cell fermentation with E. coli JM109(pDTG601A), Kazmaier-Claisen rearrangement of glycinate ester, Claisen rearrangement to set the C-13 quaternary center, and C-10-C-11 closure. Experimental procedures are provided for the key steps. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart . New York.

The present invention relates to a process for the reduction of a 6-keto group in a morphinan alkaloid to the corresponding 6-hydroxy group, comprising hydrogenating the 6-keto group using gaseous hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst and a solvent, to yield the 6-hydroxy morphinan alkaloid, wherein the reduction is carried out at a pH in the range of about 5 to about 7, and the 6-hydroxy morphinan alkaloid has an α:β ratio of > 85: 15.

Morphine alkaloids and some of its derivatives (morphine, codeine, thebaine, oripavine, hydrocodone, and oxycodone) were subjected to fermentations with six fungal strains. The alkaloids were transformed to a variety of products via biological oxidations, reductions, and oxidative demethylations. The strain Cunninghamella echinulata proved to be the most effective for demethylations of all of the above compounds, except for morphine. The time profile of the conversion of 3-[14CH3]thebaine to 3-[ 14CH3]northebaine by C. echinulata cultures was also determined.

The present invention is directed to the conversion of a 6-keto morphinan to a 6-alpha-hydroxy morphinan in the presence of a ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium asymmetric catalyst and a hydrogen source.

Analogs of 6-monoacetyl morphine (6-MAM) are described. These include analogs derivatized at either the C-3 position, the C-6 position, or the nor position of the molecule. These analogs allow for elaboration with linkers terminated by a functional group such as an activated ester, the functional groups being useful for attaching the molecule to other entities such as proteins, polysaccharides, and reporter groups.

Analogs of 6-monoacetyl morphine (6-MAM) are described. These include analogs derivatized at either the C-3 position, the C-6 position, or the nor position of the molecule. These analogs allow for elaboration with linkers terminated by a functional group such as an activated ester, the functional groups being useful for attaching the molecule to other entities such as proteins, polysaccharides, and reporter groups.

The radical cyclization approach to the morphine alkaloids has been applied in an asymmetric synthesis of (-)-dihydrocodeinone. A chiral cyclohexenol (R-32), from the CBS reduction of the enone, is the source of chirality. The first key step, tandem closure in which stereochemistry is controlled by geometric constraints, (-)-15b → (+)-16, was followed by an unprecedented reductive hydroamination, completing the synthesis of (-)-dihydroisocodeine ((-)-17) in 13 steps from commercially available materials.

A series of 3-O-acyl-6-O-sulfate esters of morphine, dihydromorphine, N-methylmorphinium iodide, codeine, and dihydrocodeine were prepared and evaluated for their ability to bind to μ-, δ-, κ1-, κ2-, and κ3-opiate receptors. Several compounds exhibited good affinity for the μ-opiate receptor. Morphine-3-O-propionyl-6-O-sulfate had four times greater affinity than morphine at the μ-opiate receptor and was the most selective compound at this receptor subtype.

A process for the preparation of dihydrocodeine by hydrogenating codeine or a salt thereof in aqueous solution in the presence of a catalytic metal and deactivating agent that decreases impurities formation.

A pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an increased urge to urinate or urinary incontinence, comprising an effective amount of at least a compound selected from the group consisting of codeine, dihydrocodeine, dextropropoxyphene, meptazinol and tilidine. Also disclosed are methods of treatment using the pharmaceutical compositions and preferred dosages for the treatment methods.

Active compound combinations of compounds of group A, particularly opioids, and compounds of group B, particularly anti-muscarine agents and other substances suitable for treatment of an increased urge to urinate or urinary incontinence. Related pharmaceutical formulations and methods of treatment of an increased urge to urinate or urinary incontinence are also provided.

Morphine derivatives having the formula wherein: A1 represents-O-,-S-,-NR?-or-CHR?-; A2 represents-O-,-S-or-NR?-; R1 represents C?-C? alkyl, C?-C? alkenyl or cycloalkylmethyl; R2 represents H, C?-C? alkyl, C?-C? alkenyl, C?-C? acyl or C?-C? hydroxyalkyl; one of X1 and X2 represents H and the other one is a group-A3-R3; A3 represents-CH?-,-CH?CH?-,-OCH?-,-SCH?-,-NR?CH?-,-CO-,-NR?CO-,-SCO-,-SO?-,-NR?SO?-,-O-,-S-or-NR?-; R3 represents an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; R? and R? independently represent H or C?-C? alkyl; whereby the morphinan system may have a further unsaturation, in additon to the benzene ring. These new morphine derivatives have improved analgesic and narcotic properties.

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