IP Library Granted Patent US 8,232,396
Granted Patent B2
US 8,232,396 · App. 12/586,841 · Granted Jul 31, 2012

Processes for the synthesis of opiates alkaloids with reduced impurity formation

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,232,396
App. No.
12/586,841
Granted
Jul 31, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention provides processes for the production of opiate alkaloids. In particular, the present invention provides processes for the formation of opiate alkaloids that minimizes the formation of impurities.

Claims (57)

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (II):

the process comprising:

(a) forming a reaction mixture by combining a compound of Formula (I), with a dienophile and a solvent comprising an alcohol and at least 10% water, wherein the compound of Formula (I) is:

and

(b) heating the reaction mixture to form a compound of Formula (II), wherein:

R 1 and R 8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl;

R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl;

R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, {—}OH, {—}NH 2 , {—}SH, {—}SR 8 , and {—}OR 8 ;

R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a protecting group, hydrocarbyl, and substituted hydrocarbyl; and

X is oxygen.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises from about 10% to 35% (v/v) of water.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dienophile is methyl vinyl ketone; the molar ratio of the compound of Formula (I) to dienophile is from about 1:1.5 to about 1:5.5; and the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of about 50° C. to about 100° C. for a period time that is sufficient for the conversion of a substantial portion of the compound of Formula (I) to the compound of Formula (II).

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein:

R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are hydrogen;

R 6 is selected from the group consisting of {—}CH 3 , and hydrogen;

R 7 is {—}CH 3 ; and

X is oxygen.

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein a seed material comprising a crystalline form of the compound of Formula (II) is added to the reaction mixture as the reaction mixture is cooled to a temperature of about 5° C.

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the amount of α-epimer formed at C(7) is greater than about 99.5% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (II); and the amount of β-epimer formed at C(7) is less than about 0.50% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (II).

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dienophile is methyl vinyl ketone and wherein:

R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are hydrogen;

R 6 is selected from the group consisting of {—}CH 3 , and hydrogen;

R 7 is {—}CH 3 ; and

X is oxygen.

8. The process claim 1 , further comprising subjecting the compound of Formula (II) to hydrogenation to form a compound of Formula (III):

wherein:

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 7 , and X are as defined in claim 1 .

9. A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (IIa):

the process comprising:

(a) forming a reaction mixture by combining a compound of Formula (Ia), with a dienophile and a solvent comprising an alcohol and at least 10% water, wherein the compound of Formula (Ia) is:

and

(b) heating the reaction mixture to form a compound of Formula (IIa), wherein:

R 1 and R 8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl;

R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; and

R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, {—}OH, {—}NH 2 , {—}SH, {—}SR 8 , and {—}OR 8 .

10. The process of claim 9 , wherein the molar ratio of the compound of Formula (Ia) to dienophile is from about 1:1.75 to about 1:3: the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of about 50° C. to about 100° C. for a period time that is sufficient for the conversion of a substantial portion of the compound of Formula (Ia) to the compound of Formula (IIa) and then the reaction mixture is cooled: and the solvent comprises from about 10% to 35% (v/v) of water.

11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the dienophile is methyl vinyl ketone and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are hydrogen.

12. The process of claim 11 , further comprising adding seed material comprising a crystalline form of the compound having Formula (IIa) as the reaction mixture cools.

13. The process of claim 9 , wherein the amount of β-epimer formed at C(7) is less than about 0.50% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (IIa); and the amount of α-epimer formed at C(7) is greater than about 99.5% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (IIa).

14. The process claim 9 , further comprising subjecting the compound of Formula (IIa) to hydrogenation to form a compound of Formula (IIIa):

wherein:

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are as defined in claim 9 .

15. A process for the preparation of a compound of Formula (IIb):

the process comprising:

(a) forming a reaction mixture by combining a compound of Formula (Ib), with a dienophile and a solvent comprising an alcohol and at least 10% water, wherein the compound of Formula (Ib) is:

and

(b) heating the reaction mixture to form a compound of Formula (IIb), wherein:

R 1 and R 8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl;

R 2 and R 3 are independently selected from the group hydrogen, hydrocarbyl and substituted hydrocarbyl; and

R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, {—}OH, {—}NH 2 , {—}SH, {—}SR 8 , and {—}OR 8 .

16. The process of claim 15 , wherein the molar ratio of the compound of Formula (Ib) to dienophile is from about 1:1.75 to about 1:3 the reaction mixture is heated to a temperature of about 50° C. to about 100° C. for a period time that is sufficient for the conversion of a substantial portion of the compound of Formula (Ib) to the compound of Formula (IIb) and then the reaction mixture is cooled; and the solvent comprises from about 10% to 35% (v/v) of water.

17. The process of claim 16 , wherein the dienophile is methyl vinyl ketone and R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are hydrogen.

18. The process of claim 16 , further comprising adding seed material comprising a crystalline form of the compound having Formula (IIb) as the reaction mixture cools.

19. The process of claim 15 , wherein the amount of β-epimer formed at C(7) is less than about 0.50% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (IIb); and the amount of α-epimer formed at C(7) is greater than about 99.5% by weight of the amount of compound of Formula (IIb).

20. The process claim 15 , further comprising subjecting the compound of Formula (IIb) to hydrogenation to form a compound of Formula (IIIb):

wherein:

R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 are as defined in claim 15 .

Assignments (14)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2025
From: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
To: SPECGX LLC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: SPECGX LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
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RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 032480, FRAME 0001 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: THERAKOS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE S.A.; MALLINCKRODT CB LLC; MALLINCKRODT FINANCE GMBH; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS INC.); MALLINCKRODT CARRIBEAN, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US POOL LLC; MNK 2011 LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT INC.); LUDLOW LLC (F/K/A LUDLOW CORPORATION); CNS THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; LAFAYETTE PHARMACEUTICALS LLC; LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC; MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS LLC (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT VETERINARY, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC; IMC EXPLORATION COMPANY; MEH, INC.; MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT ARD IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED); OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC (F/K/A OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.); SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC (F/K/A VTESSE INC.); MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING D.A.C.); INFACARE PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ST SHARED SERVICES LLC; IKARIA THERAPEUTICS LLC; INO THERAPEUTICS LLC
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RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 060434, FRAME 0536 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
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From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC
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RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS AT REEL 060389/FRAME 0913 Recorded Nov 15, 2023
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RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
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To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
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CHANGE OF LEGAL ENTITY Recorded Aug 16, 2011
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