Analgesics and narcotic antagonists in the benzomorphan and 8-oxamorphinan series. 5

Abstract

3-Methoxy-8-oxamorphinans 9 have been prepared from the corresponding 5-allyl-9alpha-hydroxy-2'-methoxy-2-methyl-6,7-benzomorphans 7. The former compounds were transformed to the 3-hydroxy-8-oxamorphinans 6, a class of potent analgesics and analgesic-antagonists. In ring C of the morphinan nucleus substitution of 8-CH2 with oxygen enhanced both analgesic and antagonist activities, while replacement of hydrogen with a methyl group at C-14 in these compounds enhanced antagonist activity and decreased analgesic activity. Tetrahydrofuranobenzomorphans 3 and 3-hydroxy-8-oxaisomorphinans 4 displayed lower levels of activity. Structural requirements for antagonist activity are discussed.