Abstract: A process for the production of extremely pure galanthamine and galanthamine derivatives is provided. Racemic bromine narwedine is debrominated under palladium catalysis. The reaction mixture is then worked-up in the presence of oxygen or peroxides so that the palladium catalyst is converted into an insoluble form that can be easily separated. Further reaction is carried out by reduction of enantiomerically pure narwedine to form enantiomerically pure galanthamine, which is then alkylated or dealkylated, so that a corresponding substitution on the ring-nitrogen atom is achieved. By further purification, such as recrystallization, residual portions of palladium of below 5 ppm are achieved. The pure galanthamine can then be directly used as a pharmaceutical raw material.

Abstract: A process for the production of extremely pure galanthamine or extremely pure galanthamine derivatives, whereby a start is made from racemic bromine narwedine, which is debrominated under palladium catalysis. The working-up of the reaction mixture, which is carried out in the presence of oxygen or peroxides, is essential to the process, so that the palladium catalyst is converted into an insoluble form, a form that can be easily separated. The further reaction is carried out by reduction of enantiomerically pure narwedine to form enantiomerically pure galanthamine, whereby it is then alkylated or dealkylated, so that a corresponding substitution on the ring-nitrogen atom is achieved. By further purification, such as recrystallization, residual portions of palladium of below 5 ppm are achieved, so that the direct use as a pharmaceutical raw material is made possible.