MorphinoneMorphinone is an opioid that is the intermediate when morphine is being converted to hydromorphone.Chemical structureMorphinone can be described as the ketone of morphine.Legal statusMorphinone itself is an active opioid, though 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.