Process for improved oxymorphone synthesis

A process for preparing oxymorphone or a salt or solvate thereof from a 14-hydroxymorphinone salt or a solvate thereof

• the process comprising the steps of
• (a) providing a solution or suspension of the 14-hydroxymorphinone salt or a solvate thereof;
• (b) adding trifluoroacetic acid and/or a glycol;
• and
• (c) hydrogenating the resulting mixture, to reduce the 14-hydroxymorphinone to the oxymorphone,
• wherein
• Xn− is an anion selected from the group consisting of Cl−, HSO4−, SO42−, methanesulfonate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, H2PO4−, HPO42−, PO43−, oxalate, perchlorate, and any mixtures thereof;
• and
• n is 1,2, or 3.