Abstract: A process for the purification of an impure preparation containing hydrocodone by means of a reverse phase preparative chromatography process is provided. In an illustrative embodiment a chromatographic column is loaded with a stationary phase, typically a silica particle having an organic ligand bound thereto. The impure preparation is acidified and passed through the column with a loading ratio of from about 10 to about 1000. The column is eluted, typically with an aqueous solution of acetonitrile, and the purified hydrocodone is obtained in a specified fraction.

Abstract: There is described a process for the purification of an impure preparation containing fentanyl by means of a reverse phase preparative chromatography process. A chromatographic column is loaded with a stationary phase, typically a silica particle having an organic ligand bound thereto. With a loading ratio of from about 50 to about 150 the impure preparation is acidified and passed through the column. The column is eluted with typically an aqueous solution of acetonitrile and the purified fentanyl is obtained in a specified cut.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating at least one narcotic alkaloid that includes loading a stationary phase media into a high performance preparative liquid chromatography column, feeding a crude narcotic alkaloid solution into the chromatographic column, applying a mobile phase to the chromatographic column, and recovering a narcotic alkaloid eluate from the chromatographic column. The narcotic eluates are collected and treated separately from each other. Each separated alkaloid, however, has sufficient recovery and purity.