Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Igor R Likhotvorik

Joseph J Lisowski

The present invention includes a process for the manufacture of dihydrothebaine, dihydrocodeinone enol acetate, hydrocodone, and analogs thereof by reacting dihydrocodeine or analogs thereof with benzophenone in the presence of potassium tert-alkylate in a hydrocarbon solvent to generate a reaction mixture containing an enolate of the corresponding ketone, followed by addition of the reaction mixture to the electrophilic agent and isolation of the product.

Production of opioid analgesics

A one-pot process for preparing opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and analogues thereof by reacting codeine, morphine, and analogues thereof with hydrogen in a solvent system of benzophenone and neutral solvent in the presence of a metal catalyst followed by oxidation in the presence of potassium tert-alkylate.

Preparation of opioid analgesics by a one-pot process

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.

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Culver, IN, United States of America

Igor R Likhotvorik