Pseudomorphine (also known as oxydimorphine or dehydromorphine) is an inactive, natural
dimerisation product of the
morphine
Morphine is a strong opiate that is found naturally in opium, a dark brown resin in poppies (''Papaver somniferum''). It is mainly used as a pain medication, and is also commonly used recreationally, or to make other illicit opioids. T ...
molecule in tandem and thus a common impurity in morphine concentrations. It was first described by Pelletier in 1835.
This compound may be synthesized by the
oxidative coupling Oxidative coupling in chemistry is a coupling reaction of two molecular entities through an oxidative process. Usually oxidative couplings are catalysed by a transition metal complex like in classical cross-coupling reactions, although the underl ...
of
morphine
Morphine is a strong opiate that is found naturally in opium, a dark brown resin in poppies (''Papaver somniferum''). It is mainly used as a pain medication, and is also commonly used recreationally, or to make other illicit opioids. T ...
by
potassium ferricyanide
Potassium ferricyanide is the chemical compound with the formula K3 e(CN)6 This bright red salt contains the octahedrally coordinated 3−.html" ;"title="e(CN)6sup>3−">e(CN)6sup>3− ion. It is soluble in water and its solution shows some g ...
.
Pseudomorphine contributes very little to morphine's effects. It produces no effects in the central nervous or gastrointestinal systems, but it might have some effects on the circulatory system.
See also
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Thebaine
Thebaine (paramorphine), also known as codeine methyl enol ether, is an opiate alkaloid, its name coming from the Greek Θῆβαι, '' Thēbai'' (Thebes), an ancient city in Upper Egypt. A minor constituent of opium, thebaine is chemically similar ...
(paramorphine)
*
Morphine-N-oxide
Morphine-''N''-oxide (genomorphine) is an active opioid metabolite of morphine. Morphine itself, in trials with rats, is 11–22 times more potent than morphine-''N''-oxide subcutaneously and 39–89 times more potent intraperitoneally. However ...
*
Morphine-3-glucuronide
Morphine-3-glucuronide is a metabolite of morphine produced by UGT2B7. It is not active as an opioid receptor, opioid agonist, but does have some action as a convulsant, which does not appear to be mediated through opioid receptors, but rather th ...
*
Morphine-6-glucuronide
Morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) is a major active metabolite of morphine. M6G is formed from morphine by the enzyme UGT2B7. It has analgesic effects more potent than morphine. M6G can accumulate to toxic levels in kidney failure.
History of disco ...
References
4,5-Epoxymorphinans
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