Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic constituent of the plant Salvia divinorum (diviner's sage, Mexican mint). Salvinorin A is a hallucinogenic compound and the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogen know to date. Salvinorin is a diterpene of the neoclerodane family. It acts as a kappa opioid receptor agonist and is the first known compound acting on this receptor that does not have a basic nitrogen. The psychoactive effects of salvinorin A are similar to those of other kappa opioid receptor agonists. Many of the opioid agonists widely used for pain relief, such as morphine, have unwanted side effects such as addition, tolerance, and physical and psychological dependence. Therefore, it is necessary to synthesize compounds with fewer side effects. This project focused on the isolation of salvinorin A from the plant Salvia divinorum. We will be synthesizing analogues of this compound for testing to further explore how salvinorin A interacts with opioid receptors.