Codeine → Hydrocodone

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Codeine, 5.0 g, and 0.117 g catalyst, Ru(P(C6H5)3)3Cl2, were dissolved in 25 ml EtOH. The mixture was flushed with nitrogen for 5 minutes. After refluxing under nitrogen for 2 hours the reaction mixture was cooled down to 0° C. and filtered. The collected crystals were washed twice with 5 ml each MeOH and dried in air for 1 hour to yield white crystals, 70% yield hydrocodone.

Provenance & Evidence