One-Pot Synthesis of 6-Hydroxy Morphinans Without Intermediate Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current processes for producing hydroxy opioid compounds, such as 6α-oxycodol, require multiple steps with intermediate isolation, which lowers yield and efficiency due to interference from reaction byproducts and increases production costs and cycle time.

Innovation Solution

A one-pot, multistep process that avoids isolating intermediate compounds by sequentially contacting unsaturated 6-O-hydrocarbyl morphinan with hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid to form unsaturated 6-keto-14-hydroxy morphinan, then with a borohydride reducing agent to form unsaturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan, and finally with a hydrogen transfer reagent to form the saturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple isolation steps are performed to remove reaction byproducts, then reaction interference is reduced and product purity is improved, but production cycle time increases and overall yield decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction successVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sequential reaction steps into a single one-pot process where oxidation, reduction, and saturation reactions occur sequentially in the same reaction vessel without isolating intermediates. This merging eliminates the time and material losses associated with isolation steps while maintaining reaction reliability through carefully controlled reagent addition and conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous reaction progression by immediately proceeding from one reaction step to the next without interruption for isolation. The oxidation step transitions directly to reduction, which then transitions to saturation, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the synthesis process and eliminating idle time between steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Reliability

If multiple isolation steps are performed to remove reaction byproducts, then reaction interference is reduced and product purity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction successVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple isolation operations into a single final isolation step, significantly reducing the number of times expensive equipment and materials are used. By combining filtration, washing, and drying operations into one final purification sequence, the patent reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining product purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers valuable intermediates in-situ within the reaction mixture rather than discarding them through isolation. The reaction byproducts and excess reagents are managed in a way that allows the desired product to be recovered in a single efficient step, reducing waste处理和材料损失 costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Manufacturing precision

If intermediate compounds are isolated between steps, then reaction conditions can be optimized for each step, but overall process efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction controlVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic reaction conditions where the same reaction vessel adapts to different reaction requirements at different stages. By controlling reagent addition, temperature, and timing dynamically, the process maintains optimal conditions for oxidation, then reduction, then saturation without physical isolation, preserving both precision and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes reaction parameters (reagent type, concentration, temperature, pH) in-situ to optimize each reaction step while maintaining continuous operation. The oxidation conditions are adjusted to favor ketone formation, then reduction parameters are modified in the same vessel, followed by saturation condition adjustments, all without isolating intermediates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process enhances yield and efficiency by eliminating intermediate isolation steps, reducing production costs and cycle time, while maintaining stereospecificity and alpha to beta isomer ratios of at least 95:5 for 6-hydroxy compounds.

Implementation Method 1

contacting an unsaturated 6-O-hydrocarbyl morphinan with hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid to form an unsaturated 6-keto-14-hydroxy morphinan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The unsaturated 6-keto-14-hydroxy morphinan is contacted with a first reducing agent to form an unsaturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 3

the unsaturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan is contacted with a second reducing agent to form the saturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Data Source

PatentEP3065743B1Production of 6-hydroxy morphinans without the isolation of intermediates
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 SPECGX LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides a process for preparing a saturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan. The process comprises contacting an unsaturated 6-O-hydrocarbyl morphinan with hydrogen peroxide and an organic acid to form an unsaturated 6-keto-14-hydroxy morphinan. The unsaturated 6-keto-14-hydroxy morphinan is contacted with a first reducing agent to form an unsaturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan, and the unsaturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan is contacted with a second reducing agent to form the saturated 6,14-dihydroxy morphinan.