Abstract: A method of preparing oxycodone includes forming 14-hydroxycodeine by reduction of 14-hydroxycodeinone and rearrangement of the 14-hydroxycodeine to form the oxycodone. During the reduction step, the ketone group of an undesirable contaminant precursor, 8,14-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodeinone, is reduced to a hydroxyl group thus forming a triol. This triol is substantially inert with respect to reforming 14-hydroxycodeinone and can be readily separated from oxycodone.

Abstract: A method of preparing oxycodone includes forming 14-hydroxycodeine by reduction of 14-hydroxycodeinone and rearrangement of the 14-hydroxycodeine to form the oxycodone. During the reduction step, the ketone group of an undesirable contaminant precursor, 8,14-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodeinone, is reduced to a hydroxyl group thus forming a triol. This triol is substantially inert with respect to reforming 14-hydroxycodeinone and can be readily separated from oxycodone.

Abstract: A method of preparing oxycodone includes forming 14-hydroxycodeine by reduction of 14-hydroxycodeinone and rearrangement of the 14-hydroxycodeine to form the oxycodone. During the reduction step, the ketone group of an undesirable contaminant precursor, 8,14-dihydroxy-7,8-dihydrocodeinone, is reduced to a hydroxyl group thus forming a triol. This triol is substantially inert with respect to reforming 14-hydroxycodeinone and can be readily separated from oxycodone.

Abstract: Improved analgesic oxymorphone hydrochloride contains less than 10 ppm of alpha, beta unsaturated ketones and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such oxymorphone hydrochloride. The oxymorphone hydrochloride is produced by reducing a starting material oxymorphone hydrochloride using gaseous hydrogen and under specified acidity, solvent system and temperature conditions. A specific polymorph of oxymorphone hydrochloride may be obtained by hydration.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxycodone or an oxycodone salt, wherein the oxycodone or oxycodone salt has low levels of impurities (especially 14-hydroxycodeinone) is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising oxycodone and a solvent and adjusting the pH of the mixture to less than 6; and subsequently b) exposing the mixture to hydrogenation reagents for a period of at least 1 hour.

Abstract: A method of purifying oxycodone or a salt thereof includes the steps of: a) preparing a solution including the oxycodone or salt thereof in a solvent, the solution having a pH less than 6, and; b) maintaining the solution at a temperature of at least 55° C. for a period of at least 1 hour; wherein the step of maintaining is performed in the absence of hydrogenation reagents.

Abstract: Improved analgesic oxymorphone hydrochloride contains less than 10 ppm of alpha, beta unsaturated ketones and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such oxymorphone hydrochloride. The oxymorphone hydrochloride is produced by reducing a starting material oxymorphone hydrochloride using gaseous hydrogen and under specified acidity, solvent system and temperature conditions. A specific polymorph of oxymorphone hydrochloride may be obtained by hydration.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxycodone or an oxycodone salt, wherein the oxycodone or oxycodone salt has low levels of impurities (especially 14-hydroxycodeinone) is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising oxycodone and a solvent and adjusting the pH of the mixture to less than 6; and subsequently b) exposing the mixture to hydrogenation reagents for a period of at least 1 hour. This process provides oxycodone with very low levels of ?,?-unsaturated ketone impurities. Oxycodone or an oxycodone salt produced according to the process of the invention has low levels of ?,?-unsaturated ketones and is advantageously incorporated into pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxycodone or an oxycodone salt, wherein the oxycodone or oxycodone salt has low levels of impurities (especially 14-hydroxycodeinone) is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising oxycodone and a solvent and adjusting the pH of the mixture to less than 6; and subsequently b) exposing the mixture to hydrogenation reagents for a period of at least 1 hour.

Abstract: A method of purifying oxycodone or a salt thereof includes the steps of: a) preparing a solution including the oxycodone or salt thereof in a solvent, the solution having a pH less than 6, and; b) maintaining the solution at a temperature of at least 55° C. for a period of at least 1 hour; wherein the step of maintaining is performed in the absence of hydrogenation reagents.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxycodone or an oxycodone salt, wherein the oxycodone or oxycodone salt has low levels of impurities (especially 14-hydroxycodeinone) is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising oxycodone and a solvent and adjusting the pH of the mixture to less than 6; and subsequently b) exposing the mixture to hydrogenation reagents for a period of at least 1 hour.

Abstract: A process for preparing oxycodone or an oxycodone salt, wherein the oxycodone or oxycodone salt has low levels of impurities (especially 14-hydroxycodeinone) is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: a) preparing a mixture comprising oxycodone and a solvent and adjusting the pH of the mixture to less than 6; and subsequently b) exposing the mixture to hydrogenation reagents for a period of at least 1 hour.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thebaine, its salts such as the bitartrate, and analogues thereof, together with a novel intermediate useful in said process are disclosed. Thebaine bitartrate is itself useful in the preparation of oxycodone; analogues are useful in the preparation of analogous 14-hydroxymorphinones.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of thebaine, its salts such as the bitartrate, and analogues thereof, together with a novel intermediate useful in said process are disclosed. Thebaine bitartrate is itself useful in the preparation of oxycodone; analogues are useful in the preparation of analogous 14-hydroxymorphinones.

Abstract: A method for removing residual organic solvents from a bulk substance, for example from a pharmaceutical drug substance, comprises drying the bulk substance in the presence of water vapor, such that the residual organic solvent molecules are displaced with water vapor molecules.