145225-02-1Relevant articles and documents
Electrochemical N-Demethylation of 14-Hydroxy Morphinans: Sustainable Access to Opioid Antagonists
Cantillo, David,Glotz, Gabriel,Kappe, C. Oliver
, p. 6891 - 6896 (2020)
The most challenging step in the preparation of many opioid antagonists is the selective N-demethylation of a 14-hydroxymorphinan precursor. This process is carried out on a large scale using stoichiometric amounts of hazardous chemicals like cyanogen bromide or chloroformates. We have developed a mild reagent- and catalyst-free procedure for the N-demethylation step based on the anodic oxidation of the tertiary amine. The ensuing intermediates can be readily hydrolyzed to the target nor-opioids in very good yields.
