CBD Conversion to THC

ThaiLabWiazard said:

You don't need ultrasonic for this type of reaction. Also the amount of catalyst is excessive. Otherwise - yep. 97% conversion rate, and if the timings are right (you stop early enough) you can even get a dominant d9 60%

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1. Preparation of the Reaction Mixture: Weighing CBD Isolate: Accurately weigh 50 g of CBD isolate with 98% purity.
   Dissolving CBD: Slowly add a solvent (e.g., ethanol or isopropanol) to the flask containing CBD. It is recommended to use about 100-200 ml of solvent for complete dissolution of CBD. Use a magnetic stirrer to ensure uniform dissolution of CBD in the solvent.
2. Addition of Acid Catalyst: Choosing a Catalyst: For example, hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is commonly used for the isomerization of CBD into Δ⁹-THC.
   Adding the Catalyst: For 50 g of CBD isolate with 98% purity, add 0.5-2.5 g of HCl (1-5% of the CBD weight). For 1% HCl = 0.49g HCl, and for 5% HCl = 2.45g HCl.
   Carefully add the acid to the CBD solution and mix thoroughly using a magnetic stirrer. It is important to achieve even distribution of the catalyst in the solution.
3. Heating and Isomerization: Temperature Control: Heat the mixture to a temperature of 100-150°C, preferably 125°C, but no higher than 150°C to prevent degradation. This is critical for activating the reaction. Use a thermometer for accurate control.
   Using a Water Bath: To more stably control the temperature, it is recommended to use a water bath, maintaining the desired temperature. If using a water bath, heat the mixture for 1-2 hours. If the temperature is too high, molecule degradation may occur; if too low, the reaction will not proceed.
   Note: It is important to regularly monitor the temperature and avoid overheating. Stopping the reaction earlier will help preserve some of the original CBD if you need less Δ⁹-THC.
4. Monitoring the Reaction: Reaction Time: The isomerization of CBD to Δ⁹-THC at this temperature takes 1-2 hours. It is important to monitor the process and track the time: if you want to obtain less Δ⁹-THC, the reaction can be stopped after 1 hour.
5. Cooling the Mixture: Stopping the Reaction: Once the desired conversion is achieved, cool the mixture to room temperature. If using a water bath, simply turn off the heat source.
   Control: After cooling, it is important to ensure that the reaction has been stopped.
6. Neutralizing the Acid: Adding a Base: To neutralize the excess acid, add a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution or another alkaline substance. Add NaOH drop by drop, carefully checking the pH of the mixture with a pH meter. The goal is to achieve a neutral pH (around 7).
   Caution: NaOH should be added carefully to avoid vigorous reactions and heat release.
7. Removal of the Solvent: Evaporating the Solvent: If the solvent has not fully evaporated, use a vacuum evaporator or a standard evaporator at a temperature not higher than 50-60°C to remove any remaining solvent. This will leave a concentrated extract containing Δ⁹-THC.
8. Purification and Filtration: Removing Impurities: After the reaction is complete and the acid catalyst has been neutralized, filter the mixture through filter paper or use more advanced purification methods such as column chromatography.
   Goal: To obtain pure Δ⁹-THC free from residual catalysts and other undesirable impurities. Chromatography significantly improves the purity of the final product.
9. Obtaining Δ⁹-THC: Product: After purification, you will have a mixture containing Δ⁹-THC, ready for use. If necessary, further chromatography or other purification methods can be performed to achieve higher purity Δ⁹-THC.