Morphinone

Morphinone is itself not a very potent opioid but it is the intermediate when morphine is being converted to hydromorphone (trade name Dilaudid) which is 4-6 times as potent as morphine. Morphinone is itself not a very potent opioid but it is the intermediate when morphine is being converted to hydromorphone (trade name Dilaudid) which is 4-6 times as potent as morphine. Morphinone can be described as the ketone of morphine. Morphinone itself is an active opioid although its potency is closer to codeine than morphine. It is, however, an important precursor and would fall under the purview of the Controlled Substances Act within the United States. Its legal status in other countries varies.