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: The present invention relates to process wherein (+)-2-carene epoxide is coupled with a compound X—Y that contains nucleophilic and electrophilic moieties, to produce a compound of formula (5). The reaction mixture consists essentially of a source of (+)-2-carene epoxide, compound X—Y, optionally an inert solvent and optionally a pH buffer. No acid catalyst is used in the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process wherein (+)-2-carene epoxide is coupled with a compound X-Y that contains nucleophilic and electrophilic moieties, to produce a compound of formula (5). The reaction mixture consists essentially of a source of (+)-2-carene epoxide, compound X-Y, optionally an inert solvent and optionally a pH buffer. No acid catalyst is used in the process.