Subject: Codeine FAQ
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 
From: Anonymous 

Rhodium Wrote:

> Could you provide me with a description of your experiences with 
> this method? From necessary precautions with regards to the BBr3, 
> to observations during the course of the reaction. It'd be great!

Well, I extracted the codeine using the NaOH/chloroform method. I then went 
through the synthesis - the BBr3 is really nasty - fuming toxic shit! 
I had a high power exhaust fan in front of my work area and it took care of 
the fumes (all the insects outside the window died!). I dissolved the BBr3 in 
chloroform and then added the codeine/chloroform mixture - lots of HBr gas 
evolved - stoppered the flask and lead the fumes into water, which dissolved 
the HBr gas. The codeine made this funky pink precipitate. Continued to follow 
the steps, added mix to ammonia/ice (I had this in a alcohol/ice bath at -5°C). 
Once again fumes evolved (not as much). Stirred 30 min. Filtered out a pale 
white-yellow gelatinous material, washed with cold chloroform and water and 
dried. It seemed to have a bromine odor and was very acidic (I probably used 
a bit too much BBr3) so I washed with cold water again (morphine hydrate isn't 
water soluble) and the pH normalized. I then dissolved it in dilute HCl, and 
neutralized to pH 6 with NaOH.

I'm going to be more precise with amounts etc. next time, and hopefully this 
will improve the yield (now it was only 50%!). 