Morphinone


Morphinone is itself not a very potent opioid but it is the intermediate when morphine is being converted to hydromorphone which is 4-6 times as potent as morphine.

Chemical structure

Morphinone can be described as the ketone of morphine.

Legal status

Morphinone itself is an active opioid although its potency is closer to codeine than morphine. It is, however, an important precursor and would fall under the purview of the Controlled Substances Act within the United States. Its legal status in other countries varies.