Abstract: A chiral ionic compound comprising an alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core having an alkyl ester side chain (-alkyl-C(O)O—) directly linked to the core and an associated counter anion, characterized in that the —O— atom of the ester side chain is linked to an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality via the alpha, beta or gamma hydroxy of the acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon, or characterized in that an —N? atom of the alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core is substituted with an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxy group of a alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon. The chiral ionic liquids (CILs) may be used as novel solvents, in particular for organic synthesis. The CILs have the potential to induce asymmetry into substrates or catalysts in a variety of organic transformations.

Abstract: A chiral ionic compound comprising an alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core having an alkyl ester side chain (-alkyl-C(O)O—) directly linked to the core and an associated counter anion, characterized in that the —O— atom of the ester side chain is linked to an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality via the alpha, beta or gamma hydroxy of the acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon, or characterized in that an —N? atom of the alkyl substituted imidazolium or pyridinium cationic core is substituted with an alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxy group of a alpha, a beta or a gamma hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality and the hydroxycarboxylic acid functionality has at least one asymmetric carbon. The chiral ionic liquids (CILs) may be used as novel solvents, in particular for organic synthesis. The CILs have the potential to induce asymmetry into substrates or catalysts in a variety of organic transformations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for N-demethylating an N-methyl morphinane comprising the steps of: (i) treating said N-methyl morphinane with an oxidizing agent to form the N-oxide morphinane; and (ii) treating said N-oxide morphinane with a reducing agent. This invention also relates to a method for oxidizing a ?7-morphinane compound to a ?6, ?8-morphinane compound, comprising the steps of treating said ?7-morphinane with ?-MnO2 for a time and under conditions sufficient to oxidize said ?7-morphinane, and treating the ?-MnO2 with glycol or a derivative thereof, and/or an inorganic salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for N-demethylating an N-methyl morphinane comprising the steps of: (i) treating said N-methyl morphinane with an oxidizing agent to form the N-oxide morphinane; and (ii) treating said N-oxide morphinane with a reducing agent. This invention also relates to a method for oxidizing a &Dgr;7-morphinane compound to a &Dgr;6, &Dgr;8-morphinane compound, comprising the steps of treating said &Dgr;7-morphinane with &ggr;-MnO2 for a time and under conditions sufficient to oxidize said &Dgr;7morphinane, and treating the &ggr;-MnO2 with glycol or a derivative thereof, and/or an inorganic salt.