The hydrogenation of 7-acetyl-6,14-endoetheno-6,7,8,14-tetrahydrothebaine (I) with H2 over Pd/C in acetic acid gives the corresponding endo-ethano derivative (II), which by a Grignard reaction with tertbutyl-magnesium chloride (A) in ether-benzene yields 7alpha-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydrothebaine (III). The reaction of III with BrCN in CH2Cl2 affords 7alpha-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-N-cyano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydronorthebaine (IV), which is treated with KOH in ethylene glycol at 170 C to give 7alpha(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydronorthebaine (V). This compound is treated first with cyclopropylcarbonyl chloride (B) in CH2Cl2 containing triethylamine, followed by a reduction with LiAlH4 in refluxing THF yielding N-cyclopropylmethyl-7alpha-(2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-butyl)-6,14-endo-ethano-6,7,8,14-tetrahydro-northebaine (VI). Finally, (VI) is demethylated with KOH in diethylene glycol at 210-220 C.