A Revised Modular Approach to D8-THC and Derivatives Through Late-Stage Suzuki-Miyaura Cross-Coupling Reactions

In this manuscript we describe a modular pathway to synthesize biologically relevant (–)-trans-Δ⁸-THC derivatives, which can be used to modulate the pharmacologically important CB₁ and CB₂ receptors. This pathway involves a one-pot Friedel-Crafts alkylation/cyclization protocol, followed by Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions and gives rise to a series of new Δ⁸-THC derivatives. In addition, we demonstrate using extensive NMR evidence that similar halide-substituted Friedel-Crafts alkylation/cyclization products in previous articles were wrongly assigned as the para-isomers, which also has consequence for the assignment of the subsequent cross-coupled products and interpretation of their biological activity.

Considering the importance of the availability of THC derivatives in medicinal chemistry research and the fact that previously synthesized compounds were wrongly assigned, we feel this research is describing a straightforward pathway into new cannabinoids.