Synthesis of Three Minor Cannabinoids

The recent legalization of marijuana across the globe has sparked new interest in studying the health benefits of non-psychotropic cannabinoids. The majority of the studies have revolved around cannabidiol as it can readily be isolated in high quantities from hemp. Preliminary medicinal studies into CBD have revealed its promise as a treatment for anxiety, and chronic pain. Encouraged by this success, investigations are now shifting to the minor cannabinoids. For example, tetrahydrocannabinol quinone is showing early promise as a medicinal candidate, but further biological studies and commercial applications are hampered by the small quantities available from biological sources. Some minor cannabinoids, such as cannabitwinol, were isolated in such small quantities that biological testing was not possible. The difficulty in accessing the products also has hampered structure elucidation. For example, the isolated quantities of cannabichromene are so minute that the absolute configuration of the stereocenters still has not been determined. The goal of this project is to synthesize cannabinol, cannabitwinol, and cannabichromene for future biological testing and structural evaluation.

Faculty Supervisor:

Glenn Sammis

Student:

Partner:

Delic Labs Inc

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: