The opium alkaloid (−)-codeine was synthesized in eight steps from (±)-N-norreticuline R-(−)- norreticuline, obtained by resolution, was converted to (R)-N-trifluoroacetyl-6'- bromonorreticuline and the latter was subjected to phenolic oxidative coupling with a variety of aryliodoso complexes in dichloromethane. N-Trifluoroacetyl-1-bromonorsalutaridine prepared by this means was transformed to 1-bromosalutaridinol (as a mixture of epimers) ...