Synthetic route sourcing of illicit at home cannabidiol (CBD) isomerization to psychoactive cannabinoids using ion mobility-coupled-LC–MS/MS

Thomas D. Kiselak; Rachel Koerber; Guido F. Verbeck

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110173

Synthetic route sourcing of illicit at home cannabidiol (CBD) isomerization to psychoactive cannabinoids using ion mobility-coupled-LC–MS/MS

Thomas D. Kiselak, Rachel Koerber, Guido F. Verbeck

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study focuses on the chemical route sourcing of illicitly produced Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) via the acid-catalyzed cannabidiol isomerization reaction. Each of the acid-catalyzed reactions used acids that are readily available for the general population such as battery acid, muriatic acid, and vinegar. After the acid-catalyzed isomerization was complete, an analysis using Liquid Chromatography-coupled-Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS)-coupled-ion mobility to confirm all synthetic impurities in the sample was conducted. The conducted chemical route sourcing allows law enforcement to be able to determine how CBD was converted to psychoactive cannabinoids. Specifically, 10-methoxy-THC, 11-hydroxy-THC, 11,5″-dihydroxy-Δ9-THC, and 5″-hydroxy-CBD were able to be used as indicators in the determination of the chemical route sourcing. Additionally, the ion mobility allowed for a rapid secondary separation of the psychoactive cannabinoids without the need for the long LC/MS analysis time.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	110173
Journal	Forensic Science International
Volume	308
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110173
State	Published - Mar 2020
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cannabidiol
Ion mobility
Liquid chromatography
Psychoactive cannabinoids
Synthetic route

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110173

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title = "Synthetic route sourcing of illicit at home cannabidiol (CBD) isomerization to psychoactive cannabinoids using ion mobility-coupled-LC–MS/MS",

abstract = "This study focuses on the chemical route sourcing of illicitly produced Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) via the acid-catalyzed cannabidiol isomerization reaction. Each of the acid-catalyzed reactions used acids that are readily available for the general population such as battery acid, muriatic acid, and vinegar. After the acid-catalyzed isomerization was complete, an analysis using Liquid Chromatography-coupled-Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS)-coupled-ion mobility to confirm all synthetic impurities in the sample was conducted. The conducted chemical route sourcing allows law enforcement to be able to determine how CBD was converted to psychoactive cannabinoids. Specifically, 10-methoxy-THC, 11-hydroxy-THC, 11,5″-dihydroxy-Δ9-THC, and 5″-hydroxy-CBD were able to be used as indicators in the determination of the chemical route sourcing. Additionally, the ion mobility allowed for a rapid secondary separation of the psychoactive cannabinoids without the need for the long LC/MS analysis time.",

keywords = "Cannabidiol, Ion mobility, Liquid chromatography, Psychoactive cannabinoids, Synthetic route",

author = "Kiselak, {Thomas D.} and Rachel Koerber and Verbeck, {Guido F.}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020",

year = "2020",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110173",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "308",

journal = "Forensic Science International",

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AU - Koerber, Rachel

AU - Verbeck, Guido F.

PY - 2020/3

Y1 - 2020/3

N2 - This study focuses on the chemical route sourcing of illicitly produced Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) via the acid-catalyzed cannabidiol isomerization reaction. Each of the acid-catalyzed reactions used acids that are readily available for the general population such as battery acid, muriatic acid, and vinegar. After the acid-catalyzed isomerization was complete, an analysis using Liquid Chromatography-coupled-Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS)-coupled-ion mobility to confirm all synthetic impurities in the sample was conducted. The conducted chemical route sourcing allows law enforcement to be able to determine how CBD was converted to psychoactive cannabinoids. Specifically, 10-methoxy-THC, 11-hydroxy-THC, 11,5″-dihydroxy-Δ9-THC, and 5″-hydroxy-CBD were able to be used as indicators in the determination of the chemical route sourcing. Additionally, the ion mobility allowed for a rapid secondary separation of the psychoactive cannabinoids without the need for the long LC/MS analysis time.

AB - This study focuses on the chemical route sourcing of illicitly produced Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) via the acid-catalyzed cannabidiol isomerization reaction. Each of the acid-catalyzed reactions used acids that are readily available for the general population such as battery acid, muriatic acid, and vinegar. After the acid-catalyzed isomerization was complete, an analysis using Liquid Chromatography-coupled-Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS)-coupled-ion mobility to confirm all synthetic impurities in the sample was conducted. The conducted chemical route sourcing allows law enforcement to be able to determine how CBD was converted to psychoactive cannabinoids. Specifically, 10-methoxy-THC, 11-hydroxy-THC, 11,5″-dihydroxy-Δ9-THC, and 5″-hydroxy-CBD were able to be used as indicators in the determination of the chemical route sourcing. Additionally, the ion mobility allowed for a rapid secondary separation of the psychoactive cannabinoids without the need for the long LC/MS analysis time.

KW - Cannabidiol

KW - Ion mobility

KW - Liquid chromatography

KW - Psychoactive cannabinoids

KW - Synthetic route

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Synthetic route sourcing of illicit at home cannabidiol (CBD) isomerization to psychoactive cannabinoids using ion mobility-coupled-LC–MS/MS

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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