IP Library Granted Patent US 8,399,671
Granted Patent B2
US 8,399,671 · App. 12/885,851 · Granted Mar 19, 2013

Methods for producing hydrocodone, hydromorphone or a derivative thereof

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,399,671
App. No.
12/885,851
Granted
Mar 19, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to methods for producing opioid derivatives. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to the preparation of hydromorphone, hydrocodone, or a derivative thereof, by means of a non-catalytic hydrogenation reaction of thebaine, oripavine or a derivative thereof, respectively, using a hydrazide reagent, followed by hydrolysis of the hydrogenated intermediate at a low temperature and for a short period of time. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a composition comprising the desired hydromorphone, hydrocodone, or a derivative thereof, in combination with a 6-beta compound that is structurally related thereto.

Claims (22)

1. A method for preparing a compound of Formula III from a compound of Formula I:

the method comprising contacting the compound of Formula I and a hydrazide reagent of Formula II in a first reaction mixture for at least 6 hours, to convert the compound of Formula I to the compound of Formula III, wherein:

R 1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted allyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted acyl, substituted or unsubstituted formyl, hydroxyl, substituted or unsubstituted carboxyester, and substituted or unsubstituted carboxyamide;

R 2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted acyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted carboxyester, substituted or unsubstituted carboxyamide, substituted or unsubstituted trialkylsilyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl;

R 3 is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted acyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl sulfonyl, substituted or unsubstituted carboxyester, substituted or unsubstituted carboxyamide, substituted or unsubstituted trialkylsilyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl;

R 8 and R 9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, or R 8 and R 9 together form a carbonyl group;

R 10 , R 11 , R 14 and R 15 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, and a halogen, or R 14 and R 15 together form a carbonyl group;

R 16 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, and substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl; and,

R 18 is either an acyl group having the formula R 19 —C(O)— or a sulfonyl group having the formula R 20 —S(O) 2 —, wherein R 19 and R 20 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, substituted or unsubstituted heterocycloalkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compounds of Formula I and Formula II are contacted for less than about 24 hours in the first reaction mixture.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula I is converted to the compound of Formula III in the absence of a metal-containing catalyst.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first reaction mixture contains the compound of Formula II and the compound of Formula I in a ratio of between about 2:1 and about 4:1.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reaction is carried out to convert the compound of Formula IA to the compound of Formula IIIA:

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reaction is carried out to convert the compound of Formula IB to the compound of Formula IIIB:

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula II is selected from 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzene sulphonyl hydrazide and p-toluene sulphonyl hydrazide.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising preparing the compound of Formula VI from the compound of Formula III:

the method comprising contacting the compound of Formula III and an acid in a second reaction mixture at a temperature of less than 50° C., to convert the compound of Formula III to the compound of Formula VI, wherein: R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , R 11 , R 14 , R 15 , R 16 are as previously defined in claim 1 , and R 17 is hydrogen.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the compound of Formula III and the acid are contacted in the second reaction mixture at about room temperature.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the compound of Formula III and the acid are contacted in the second reaction mixture for between about 0.5 hours and about 3 hours.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising contacting the compound of Formula VI with a base to give the free base of the compound of Formula VI.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising recrystallizing the compound of Formula VI to reduce the concentration of an impurity therein having a Formula 6-beta:

wherein: R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 8 , R 9 , R 10 , R 11 , R 14 , R 15 , R 16 and R 17 are as previously defined in claim 8 , to less than 0.15 wt %.

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
Reel/Frame 072324/0740 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: SPECGX LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 072313/0063 →
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
Reel/Frame 065609/0322 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTERESTS RECORDED AT REEL 060434, FRAME 0536 Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC
Reel/Frame 065601/0347 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2023
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
To: ACQUIOM AGENCY SERVICES LLC
Reel/Frame 065595/0376 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS AT REEL 060389/FRAME 0913 Recorded Nov 15, 2023
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OCERA THERAPEUTICS LLC (F/K/A OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.); MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY; SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 065583/0465 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 22, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 060434/0536 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; STRATATECH CORPORATION; SUCAMPO PHARMA AMERICAS LLC; VTESSE LLC; MALLINCKRODT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 060389/0913 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2022
From: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
To: OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT LLC; MALLINCKRODT ARD IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED); MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING UNLIMITED COMPANY (F/K/A MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY); SPECGX LLC; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE LLC (F/K/A VTESSE INC.)
Reel/Frame 060389/0839 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 10, 2019
From: MALLINCKRODT ARD IP LIMITED; MALLINCKRODT HOSPITAL PRODUCTS IP LIMITED; SPECGX LLC; OCERA THERAPEUTICS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT PHARMA IP TRADING DESIGNATED ACTIVITY COMPANY; STRATATECH CORPORATION; VTESSE INC.; MALLINCKRODT LLC
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS SECOND LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 051256/0829 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2017
From: MALLINCKRODT LLC
To: SPECGX LLC
Reel/Frame 044891/0376 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2014
From: MALLINCKRODT INTERNATIONAL FINANCE S.A.; MALLINCKRODT CB LLC; MALLINCKRODT FINANCE GMBH; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS INC.; MALLINCKRODT CARIBBEAN, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US POOL LLC; MALLINCKRODT INC.; LUDLOW CORPORATION; CNS THERAPEUTICS, INC.; ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES LLC; MALLINCKRODT LLC; LAFAYETTE PHARMACEUTICALS LLC; LIEBEL-FLARSHEIM COMPANY LLC; MALLINCKRODT BRAND PHARMACEUTICALS, INC; MALLINCKRODT VETERINARY, INC.; MALLINCKRODT US HOLDINGS LLC; IMC EXPLORATION COMPANY; MEH, INC; MALLINCKRODT ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 032480/0001 →
CHANGE OF LEGAL ENTITY Recorded Aug 16, 2011
From: MALLINCKRODT INC.
To: MALLINCKRODT LLC
Reel/Frame 026754/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2010
From: ORR, BRIAN; DUMMITT, WILLIAM E.
To: MALLINCKRODT INC.
Reel/Frame 025013/0284 →