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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

METHOD FOR PREPARING NORMORPHINE

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4229640

An improved method is presented for producing normorphine from morphine. Morphine as the starting material is acetylated by treatment with acetylating agents to produce di-acetyl morphine (heroin). The acetylated compound is reacted with cyanating agents to produce di-acetyl-cyanonormorphine (cyanonorheroin). The di-acetyl-cyanonormorphine compound is then treated in accordance with the improved hydrolysis reactions of the present invention in which concentrated hydrochloric acid is employed for a limited time period to hydrolyze the acetyl group therefrom forming cyanonormorphine. Subsequently, the reaction mixture is diluted and hydrolysis of the cyano groups from the cyanonormorphine is effected with a longer contact time with dilute hydrochloric acid thereby producing normorphine. A high over-all conversion and production of a high purity product which may be radioactlvely labeled, if desired, is obtained by operation of the process.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-13-022049
Assignee:
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
Patent Number(s):
US 2890221
OSTI ID:
4229640
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English