Synthetic substances with morphine-like effect; chemical aspects.

As a basis for a series of studies on the pharmacological, therapeutic, and addictive properties of synthetic drugs with morphine-like effect, this paper deals with chemical aspects of the compounds of this type so far known. Four major groups, each with a fundamentally different chemical structure, are described: pethidine, methadone, morphinan, and dithienylbutenylamine. For each substance belonging to these groups, the formula, synonyms, and methods of synthesis are indicated. A description of pethidine according to the specifications of the Pharmacopoea Internationalis is annexed to the paper.