Hydromorphone synthesis

The opium alkaloid thebaine, although therapeutically useless (causes seizures and has little analgetic action), is important as the chemical starting point for the commercial synthesis of methyldihydromorphinone (Metopon), hydrocodone and hydromorphone, oxy-morphone, and the very interesting oripavine compounds (see later). Since these drugs are modifications of a natural alkaloid, they may be referred to as semisynthetic opiates. 

Biological synthesis of the analgesic hydromorphone, an intermediate in the metabolism of morphine, by Pseudomonas putidaMlO... 

Synthesis of N-[methyl-l lC]hydromorphone by using multivariate strategies for optimization of radiochemical yields... 

Yu H, Prisinzano T, Dersch CM, Marcus J, Rothman RB, Jacobson AE, Rice KC (2002) Synthesis and biological activity of 8 beta-substituted hydrocodone indole and hydromorphone indole derivatives. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 12 165-168... 

Hydromorphone (launched by Knoll in 1926 under the brand name Dilaudid with intended connotation to laudanum ) is more active than morphine, and is indicated for medium to severe pain. Hydromorphone can cause severe dependence. The starting material for its synthesis is morphine, which is first hydrogenated, and its alcohol ftmction is then submitted to an Oppenauer oxidation with cyclohexanone. 

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