A study of transacetylation between 3,6-diacetylmorphine and morphine.

Interaction between some of the constituents of illicitly prepared heroin results in the formation of 6-acetylmorphine. Such interactions have been observed during the gas chromatographic examination of heroin. An explanation of these reactions is proposed. Attempts to block the formation of 6-acetylmorphine were not successful, although the problem is minimised by using the lowest temperature consistent with satisfactory chromatography.