11-Hydroxy-2-methoxyaporphine was synthesized from oripavine in three steps with an overall yield of 37.8%. The key step involved the palladium on carbon catalyzed reduction of 11-hydroxy-2-methoxy-10-O-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]aporphine using magnesium metal in methanol at room temperature in the presence of ammonium acetate.
aporphine - synthesis - rearrangement - reduction - deoxygenation