Answer to Question #292028 in Organic Chemistry for IrieRose

Question

How does a chemist illustrate the molecular structure of THC

Answer 1

The major active principle in all cannabis products is Δ⁹- tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC or simply THC), also known by its International Non-Proprietary Name (INN) as dronabinol. The unsaturated bond in the cyclohexene ring is located between C-9 and C-10 in the more common dibenzopyran ring numbering system. There are four stereoisomers of THC, but only the (–)-trans isomer occurs naturally (CAS-1972-08-03). The fully systematic name for this THC isomer is (−)-(6aR,10aR)-6,6,9-trimethyl-3-pentyl- 6a,7,8,10a-tetrahydro-6H-benzo[c]chromen-1-ol. Two related substances, Δ⁹- tetrahydrocannabinol-2-oic acid.

Molecular formula: C₂₁H₃₀O₂

Molecular weight: 314.4 g/mol