Codeinone is an isoquinolone alkaloid found in the opium poppy. As an analgesic, it is one-third the potency of codeine. It is an important intermediate in the production of hydrocodone–a painkiller about three-quarters the potency of morphine–as well as of oxycodone,Synthesis of Oxycodone from Codeine. Aug 2004 static snapshot of Rhodium site archive hosted by Erowid, May 2005 though the latter can also be synthesized from thebaine.Oxycodone / 14-hydroxydihydrocodeinone Synthesis; with alternative synthesis of 14-hydroxycodeinone intermediate. J. Med. Chem., 1974, 17, 1117
Chemical structure Codeinone can be described as the methylether of morphinone: 3-methyl-morphinone.
Codeinone can be also described as the ketone of codeine: codeine-6-one.
Apoptotic activity Through renewed interest into possible anti-tumor activities of some of the opium alkaloids and derivatives, unrelated to their antinociceptive properties and habit-forming effects, the oxidation product of codeine has been found to induce cell death in three different human cancer cell lines in vitro.
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