O-Demethylation of opioid derivatives with methane sulfonic acid/methionine: Application to the synthesis of naloxone and analogues

Article abstract of DOI:10.1080/00397919208019086

Naloxone 2 was obtained by demethylation of N-allylnoroxycodone 1 with methane sulfonic acid/methionine. This reagent is an excellent substitute for boron tribromide. It was used for the synthesis of analogous derivatives with variable results.