Process for the synthesis and purification of oxycodone

摘要

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.