Abstract
In the pursuit of ring-constrained analogues of buprenorphine, we wished to prepare 6-O-demethylated analogues of the thevinols and orvinols. Previously it had been disclosed that lithium aluminum hydride (LAH) in THF containing a chlorinated solvent could achieve this transformation. Here we report the results of our work with LAH in the non-coordinating solvent toluene. In refluxing toluene, the selective 6-O-demethylation of thevinols could be achieved with no 3-O-demethylation being observed. It appears that a C(20)-OH or C(2O)-NH2 group is needed on the substrate for this hydrogenolysis to proceed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1978-1980 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA |
Volume | 82 |
Issue number | 11 |
Publication status | Published - 1999 |