Desomorphine (Krokodil) Chemistry
by Erowid

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NAME :	Desomorphine (Krokodil)
CHEMICAL NAME :	4,5a-epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3-ol
ALTERNATE CHEMICAL NAMES :	dihydrodesoxymorphine-D;
CHEMICAL FORMULA	C17H21NO2
MOLECULAR WEIGHT	271.36
MELTING POINT	162-164° C (Hemihydrate, from ethyl acetate); 232° Hydrogen sulfate dihydrate browns at 210C and is unmelted at 230C

From the Merck Index 12th Edition

2972. Desomorphine. 4,5a-Epoxy-17-methylmorphinan-3-ol; dihydrodesoxymorphine-D; Permonid. C17H21N02; mol wt 271.36. C 75.25%. H 7.80%. N 5.16%. O 11.79%. Synthesis. physical data: L. F. Small et al., J. Am. Chern. Soc. 55, 3863 (1933).

Rectangular plates from acetone-water. Sublimes in high vacuum between 140C and 170C. (Anhydr base mp 189C). [alpha]28/D - 77C (c = 1.6 in methanol). Sol in acetone. ethyl acetate. Alcoholic solns darken and acquire a reddish color.

Hemihydrate, crystals from ethyl acetate. mp 162-164C. [alpha]28/D - 79C (c = 1.08 in ethyl acetate).

Hydrochloride. C17H21N02.HCl, crystals from alcohol. [alpha]27/D -67C (c = 0.90). Very soluble in water.

Hydrogen sulfate dihydrate. (C17H21N02)₂.H2S04.2H20. scales. plates from water, brown at 210C, unmelted at 230C. Sol in 40 parts water; freely sol in hot water. Soln is stable to boiling. [alpha]29/D - 60C (c = 1.43).

Note: This is a controlled substance (opium derivative) listed in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21 Part 1308. II (J 995). THERAP CAT: Analgesic (narcotic).