Researches on morphine. Pt. 1 / by S.B. Schryver and and Frederic H. Lees.

  • Samuel Barnett Schryver
Date:
[1900]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Researches on morphine. Pt. 1 / by S.B. Schryver and and Frederic H. Lees. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    occupy in the phenanthrene nucleus. Knorr and Vongerichten both assign to morphine the following probable constitution : /%/ CH2 CH-N-CHo i 3 ch2 CH„ oh-ch! OH There still remains to be determined, however, the exact points to which the various hydroxyls remain attached, as well as the relation¬ ship existing between the a-morphimethine and /2-morphimethine derivatives. By substituting the alcoholic hydroxyl by halogen or other groups or elements, and subjecting these products to the action of various reagents, it was expected that a new series of phen¬ anthrene products might be obtained, which would further elucidate the constitution of morphine. The second point of interest was to determine the influence of such substitutions on the physiological character of the morphine. Owing to the fact that the methyl ether of morphine (codeine), which occurs amongst the opium alkaloids, has long been employed in medicine, this aspect of the research seemed to be of some practical importance. The investigations hitherto undertaken with the view of determining the influence of substitution on the physiological action of morphine have been confined almost entirely to the preparation of the alkyl and acyl derivatives formed by the substitution of the hydrogen of the hydroxyl groups by various radicles (Stockman and Dott, Brit. Med. Journ., 1890, ii, 189 ; von Mering, Merck’s Annual Report, 1898, pub. March, 1899 ; Dreser, Pfliiger’s Archiv, 1898, 72, 485). The compounds investigated have all a modified narcotic action, and as the result of these researches various products have been placed on the market, such as “ dionin ” (ethylmorphine hydrochloride); “heroin” (diacetylmorphine hydrochloride); “ peronin ” (monobenzylmorphine hydrochloride). Furthermore, apomorphine, Cl7Hl702N, discovered many years ago by Matthiessen and Wright, has an emetic action, and is not usually employed as a narcotic ; its chemical relationship to morphine, from which it is prepared by the action of hydrochloric acid, and from which it differs so considerably in physiological action, remains yet to be determined. When morphine is treated with phosphorus trichloride, it yields a crystalline base, C17H1802NC1, in which, as it yields only a mono¬ acetyl derivative, the hydroxyl is replaced by chlorine. This product