Synthesis and determination of 10-oxomorphine, a decomposition product of morphine.

10-Oxomorphine, a decomposition product of morphine, was synthesized from 6-O-acetylcodeine, which was oxidized with chromic acid to 6-O-acetyl-10-hydroxycodeine. This substance was then oxidized with manganese dioxide to 6-O-acetyl-10-oxocodeine, which on hydrolysis and O-demethylation gave 10-oxomorphine. UV-, fluorimetric spectrometry, TLC and HPLC methods were used for determination of 10-oxomorphine.