Demethylation by boron tribromide

A new method for the demethylation of codeine to morphine, previously a capricious reaction, has been reported, the product being obtained in good yield. Demethylation by boron tribromide in chloroform gives 90—91%150 and by potassium t-butoxide in propanethiol gives 80% morphine.151 A patent describes an improved method for the preparation of codeinone from thebaine, by adding the alkaloid to anhydrous hydrogen bromide in solution in methylene chloride and dibutyl ether at -20 °C, in the presence of small quantities of iodine, followed by hydrolysis with aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The claimed yields of codeinone are 95% crude and 90% after purification.152 Codeinohe is an intermediate in the conversion of thebaine into codeine. An overall yield of 85% of codeine from thebaine, without purification of any of the intermediates, has been claimed for an... 

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