Novel rearrangement reaction of a 6,14-endoethanomorphinan derivative to a benzomorphan derivative

Treatment of 7α-hydroxymethylendoethenomorphinan derivative with trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride at rt and subsequent toluene reflux afforded a novel lactone by rearrangement reaction. The skeleton of the lactone is analogous to that of the benzomorphan like pentazocine, which is a useful analgesic. The rearrangement reaction opens the door to a facile synthesis from the 4,5-epoxymorphinans to the benzomorphan derivatives. On the basis of careful examination of the reaction intermediates, a reaction mechanism was proposed.