Cannabinoid Boiling Point Misinformation Explained

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) was first isolated from cannabis plants, with its boiling point documented in Israel in 1964. This discovery was made 22 years after the first extraction of THC isomers. However, before or even before the discovery of CBD by Roger Adams in 1940, a compound with a boiling point similar to THC was found in cannabis oil then offered by Merck. Curiously, a deep source of misinformation surrounds cannabinoid boiling points in today’s publications.

CBN found in 19th century cannabis oil by Merck

Chemists found a new compound in hashish in 1896, which was later isolated by RS Cahn in the 1930s. The molecule turned out to be cannabinol (CBN), the first cannabinoid discovered. This means that a boiling point almost a century ago led to the elucidation of CBN. Regardless, cannabinoid boiling points are riddled with misinformation today.

The temperature at which THC boils has been closely repeated by leading chemists in recent years. Two examples are Dr. Mark Scialdone and separately Dr. Markus Roggen from Delic Labs. Both chemists have laminated the correct cannabinoid boiling points on different platforms. Scialdone discussed the discoveries made in 1896 at length.

However, general information shared on the internet and social media incorrectly shows the boiling points of CBN as 185°C and THC as 156°C.

CBG melts at 52°C, but somehow this temperature has been misused as the boiling point on digital platforms.

Boiling points in deep vacuum

If you were told that vape pens cook CBN at 185 degrees Celsius (365 °F), perhaps the communication came from outer space. While water boils at room temperature, CBN boils at 185°C under a deep vacuum. Cannabinoids cook at much higher temperatures on the earth’s surface where consumers smoke.

CBN and THC both boil in excess of 400° Celsius at pressures found on the planet’s surface. To create misinformation, the temperatures at which cannabinoids boil under full vacuum are also often used to represent regular boiling points. To clear up the confusion, an equation is used to fit boiling points at different atmospheric pressures.

Let us know if you’re familiar with the true boiling point of cannabinoids in the comments. And watch this story to read how THC foggy instead of cooking in a vape pen.

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• The boiling point of CBG is only known based on predicted values ​​calculated using a mathematical equation, it is not yet known based on direct experimental data.

source

1. Gaoni Y, Mechoulam R. Isolation, structure and partial synthesis of an active ingredient of hashish. J.Am. Chem. Soc. 1964;86(8):1646-1647.
2. Pertwee RG (2006). Cannabinoid pharmacology: the first 66 years. British Journal of Pharmacology, 147 Suppl 1 (Suppl 1), S163-S171.
3. Wood TB, Spivey WTN, Easterfield TH.
4. XL -Charas. The resin of Indian hemp. J. Chem. Soc., Trans. 1896;69(0):539-546.
5. Lovestead, TM, & Bruno, TJ (2017). Determination of the vapor pressure of cannabinoids to support vapor phase detection of intoxication. Forensic Chemistry (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 5, 79–85.

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