“…Earlier studies reported on different synthetical approaches for converting the C-6 carbonyl group in 14-oxygenated- N -methylmorphinan-6-ones (i.e., oxycodone, oxymorphone, dihydromorphinone) into a variety of functionalities, for example hydrazones, oximes, semicarbazone, amino, guanidine, sulfate and amino acid derivatives [ 64 , 65 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 75 , 76 , 77 ]. Subsequent pharmacological studies showed that such modifications generally do not affect the opioid activities of the ligand, with the resulted compounds being potent antinociceptive agents in rodents with reduced unwanted side effects (i.e., respiratory depression and constipation) [ 61 , 64 , 65 , 72 , 73 , 74 , 78 , 79 ].…”