Synthesis of codeinone

Dichloromethane / methanol / triethylamine (for chromatography) TLC plates, silica gel UV254 Aluminum foil 

50 mL round-bottomed flasks with magnetic stirrer bar 

The usefulness of this method is further exemplified by the synthesis of the products shown is figure 7.2 that were reported by Nicolaou et al.  

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Thebaine, which differs from codeine by the addition of methylene groups and the removal of two hydrogen atoms, is neither an analgesic nor an anti-tussive. Instead, it resembles strychnine and brucine in its spinal convulsant properties. It is not used in medicine it has utility, however, in the synthesis of codeinone derivatives, some of which are useful as analgesics. 

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