This is out line work on the process development for the synthesis of buprenorphine, naltrexone, naloxone, and nalbuphine from naturally occurring opiates such as Thebaine, also known as codeine methyl enol ether, and oripavine. Several new methods for N-demethylation of morphinans have been developed during the pursuit of this research. The article traces the evolution of various approaches and provides a comparison for overall efficiency. A reverse phase high performance liquid chromatograp...