This invention relates to opioid ketal compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 is H or OH, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, or when n is 0, then R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached together form six, or seven membered ring, which is optionally mono or disubstituted by C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. The invention also relates to oxycodone ketal compounds of Formula (IV) or (V): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of pain.

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This invention relates to opioid ketal compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 is H or OH, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, or when n is 0, then R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached together form six, or seven membered ring, which is optionally mono or disubstituted by C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. The invention also relates to oxycodone ketal compounds of Formula (IV) or (V):

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or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of pain.

This invention relates to opioid ketal compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III):

##STR00001##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, R.sub.2 is H or OH, n is 0, 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently H or optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl, or when n is 0, then R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 and the carbon atoms to which they are attached together form six, or seven membered ring, which is optionally mono or disubstituted by C.sub.1-C.sub.4 alkyl. The invention also relates to oxycodone ketal compounds of Formula (IV) or (V):

##STR00002##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also relates to the use of such compounds for the treatment, prevention, or amelioration of pain.

Disclosed are methods for converting a first morphinan alkaloid compound into a second morphinan alkaloid compound in the presence of a neopinone isomerase enzyme under reaction conditions permitting the conversion of the first alkaloid compound into the second alkaloid compound. The first alkaloid compound can be neopinone or neomorphinone. The second alkaloid compound can be codeinone or morphinone. Related compositions are also disclosed.

The present invention is directed to an improved poppy straw, concentrate of poppy straw and opium of Papaver somniferum for the production of thebaine containing little or no oripavine, codeine or morphine. The present invention also provides plants, stands and seeds of Papaver somniferum and methods for the production of thebaine.

The present invention is directed to an improved poppy straw, concentrate of poppy straw and opium of Papaver somniferum for the production of thebaine containing little or no oripavine, codeine or morphine. The present invention also provides plants, stands and seeds of Papaver somniferum and methods for the production of thebaine.

In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.

In certain embodiments the invention is directed to a process for preparing an oxycodone hydrochloride composition having less than 25 ppm of 14-hydroxycodeinone.

Processes for preparing oxycodone are provided. Said processes encompass a step which is a hydrogenation of an 14-hydroxycodeinone salt in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol.

Processes for preparing oxycodone are provided. Said processes encompass a step which is a hydrogenation of an 14-hydroxycodeinone salt in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol.