Title of Invention	CANNABINOID ESTERS AND PROCESS OF CANNABINOID PURIFICATION
Abstract	A 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) esters comprising the reaction product of THC with at least one aryl sulfonyl chloride in the presence of at least one tertiary amine. The resulting aryl sulfonic THC esters are highly crystalline and stable at room temperature in air, allowing for indefinite storage. The aryl sulfonic THC esters can be recrystallized for purification, and then hydrolyzed to recover the purified THC.

Title of Invention

CANNABINOID ESTERS AND PROCESS OF CANNABINOID PURIFICATION

Abstract

A 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) esters comprising the reaction product of THC with at least one aryl sulfonyl chloride in the presence of at least one tertiary amine. The resulting aryl sulfonic THC esters are highly crystalline and stable at room temperature in air, allowing for indefinite storage. The aryl sulfonic THC esters can be recrystallized for purification, and then hydrolyzed to recover the purified THC.

Full Text	CANNABINOID CRYSTALLINE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS OF CANNABINOID PURIFICATION ■ - Th,s application i, a national stage application of PCT VS03/35599. filed November 6 :003. W„,ch clanns the benefit of U.S. Prov.s.onai Applicat.on No. 60/425543 filed Novate ^—^.002. and U.S. Provisional -\DDlicatior) \Fn AOM^^- r+ j ^ --AupuLdiion NO. bU-bDO.:.. filed December 20. 2002.-- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cannabinoid crystalline derivatives and more particularly to cannabmoid-ary! sulfonates that can be utilized for purification and1'or storage of cannabinoid compounds. BACKGROUND CF THE INVENTION NaturalW occumne cannabinoids are the bioloeicallv active components 01 :ar.r.cb:s Pharmaceutical interest in cannabmoids has increased due to FDA approval o: ±-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for several therapeutic applications. This interest has :eac to the development of synthetic cannabinoid compounds. In general both narural and synthetic cannabinoids are very difficult molecules rework with, as they tend to be hard glasses that are prone to oxidation at room temperature "THC is a non-crystalline glass at room temperature, and is susceptible to rearrange men: and air oxidation. Although TKC is typically stored in a dark freezer under an inert gas. maintaining purity during storage is very difficult. These characteristics also complicate the use of cannabinoids as reactants in other synthesis methods or uses. Purification of cannabinoids is also complicated by the characteristics listed above. Furthermore, many of the impurities commonly found in cannabinoid mixtures are aiso problematic. Conventional methods of purification typically involve the use of HPLC. These methods are inconvenient and expensive, and make scaling up of the purification .-• nrocess impractical. It is therefore desirable to provide a method for producing a cannabinoid[derivative that allows for ease in handling, stable storage, an improved method of purification, and that are easily converted back to a cannabinoid. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the present invention is to provide cannabinoid aryl sulfonates including those represented by the formula wherein Rt, R2, R3, and R4 are H or an alkyl; A is a saturated alkane, alkene, diene forming a six membered fused ring or an aromatic ring; and Y is an aryl. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of cannabinoid esters comprising reacting cannabinoid with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a process for the purification of cannabinoid comprising esterifying the cannabinoid with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base to form cannabinoid aryl sulfonate, crystallizing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate, and hydrolyzing the cannabinoid ary] sulfonate to recover the cannabinoid. The cannabinoid aryl sulfonate crystals may be recrystallized to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate. These are merely illustrative aspects of the present invention and should not be aeemed an all-inclusive listing of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention. These and other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION There is provided a process for the esterification of cannabinoids according to the reaction as follows: Reaction I wherein Ri, R2) R3, and R4 are H or an alkyl; A is a saturated alkane, alkene, diene or aromatic ring; Y is an ary! and X is a halide. Impure cannabinoids can be treated with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base to cause reaction at the phenol hydroxy group thereby producing aryi sulfonates. The base is added to take up the halide acid produced by the esterification. Therefore, any suitable base that does not interfere with the esterification reaction may be used. Lower alkyl amines, especially tertiary amines such as triethyl amine provide inexpensive bases that are suitable for the present invention. Primary and secondary amines may be used, but will result in unwanted reactions with the sulfonyl halide. Amines of the formula R5R6R7N are preferred wherein R5, R^ and R7 may typically be lower alkyl radicals having from about one to about six carbon atoms. The aryl group of the sulfonyl halide may be any aromatic system, substituted or unsubstituted, that does not interfere with the esterification reaction. Suitable aromatic systems include but are not limited to benzene, alkyl substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene and substituted and unsubstituted napthyl compounds. Preferred alkoxy substituents include an alkoxide directly attached to a tertiary carbon wherein the alkyloxy substituem may typically be from about one to about six carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment, the cannabinoid, aryl sulfonyl halide and a tertiary amine are mixed in an organic solvent and allowed to reac: at room temperature until completion, typically several hours. The choice of soiven; is no: critical, and suitable solvents include, bu; are no; limited to toluene, methylene chloride, chloroform and heptane. In an alternative embodiment, the reaction may be run at increased temperatures without affecting the efficacy of the reaction, although with minimal increase in reaction rate. Temperatures in the range of from about room temperature to about 80°C art typical. The solvent is then removed by any suitable method so that the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate forms an oil that can then be crystallized. The crystallization can be aided by the addition of a solvent and seed crystals, as is well known in the art. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, hepcanfe, hexane, t-butyl methyl ether, n-pentanol, n-butanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile and isopropyl acetate. Alcohols, including methanol are preferred. In general the purity of this crude crystalline ester will be well over 90% pure. About 70 to 80% of the initially assayed cannabinoid can be obtained in the first crop of crystals. Purification of up to greater than 99% can typically be achieved by one recrystallization, preferable from an alcohol, with minimal losses in yield. (All percentages given herein are weight percentages unless otherwise noted.) The resulting cannabinoid esters are highly crystalline and stable at room temperature. They can be stored indefinitely at room temperature under air. The cannabinoid esters can then be-hydrolyzed to recover the pure cannabinoid by base hydrolysis, as is shown in the reaction below: Reaction 2 wherein R\|, R2, R3, and Rj are H or an alkyl; A is a saturated alkane, alkens, diene or aromatic ring. Y is an aryL M is a metal and Z is air alkyl, typically 1 C to 10 C. The hydrolysis can be accomplished by any method known in the art. In a preferred embodiment the base comprises at least one metal salt of an alkyl oxide in at least one alkyl aicohoi. Suitable bases include but are not limited to potassium methoxide, ethoxide, propoxide. isopropoxide, t-butoxide and t-pentanoxide, with tertiary alkoxides preferred. Suitable alcohols include but are not limited to methanol, ethanol. n-propanol, isopropanol, t-butanoi anc t-pentanol, with tertian' alkoxides preferred. The use of the same alkyl group for both the oxide and the alcohol is preferred to prevent exchange of the groups, for example, potassium t-butoxide in t-butanol with several equivalents of water added. The reaction preferably includes at least 3 equivalents of base anc at leas: - equivalents of water per equivalent of cannabinoid used. The reaction is preferably run at a temperature of at least 4r/C. The purity oi the recovered cannabinoid typically exceeds 99%, with 85% to y^% y;eids. AlkyI oxides and alcohols typically contain alkyl groups of one to about six carbon atoms for practical purposes, although larger alkyl groups may be used. A suitable method of hydrolysis is comprised of placing the tosylate in a three-necked fisk under an inert atmosphere. The flask is typically equipped for magnetic stirring and electronic temperature control, with a condenser, inert gas bubbler and a heating mantle. Deionized water and then an alkyl oxide in alcohol are added to the flask. All solvents mazed are deoxygenated by bubbling with an inert gas. In one embodiment, the resulting s:urry is then heated to at least about 40° C to increase the reaction rate and to force the reaction to completion. While the reaction will proceed at lower temperatures, the reaction is preferably heated to about 40°Cto about 80°C, with about 50°C to about 70°C being optimum, t,-e maximum temperature being determined by the boiling point of the solvent being used. - Tne reaction mixture is maintained at the desired temperature until the reaction is substantially complete, typically about two to twelve hours, and then cooled to room temperature. Deionized water is added, and the reaction stirred. An organic solvent is added, and trie resulting mixture stirred or agitated and placed in a separatory funnel and separated. The organic fraction containing the cannabinoid product is then washed with at least one aliquot of deionized deoxygenated water. The organic fraction is then typically dried with a salt solution, filtered and evaporated under vacuum to form an oil. Distillation of the resulting oil under high vacuum results in z highly purified cannabinoid product. The following examples are offered to illustrate aspects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit or define the present invention in any manner. Synthesis of A -tetrahydrocannabinol tosvlate 64.9g of A9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 292 mL of toluene, 21.7 mL of triethyl amine, and 41 .3 g. of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride were added to a 1000 mL, 3 neck, round bottom flask blanketed.with nitrogen. The reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature for about 16 hours. The reaction was checked by LC and was found to be complete. Water (292 mLs) was added, and the reaction was stirred for 20 minutes. The aqueous layer was separated, and the toluene solution was washed two more times with 292 mL aliquots of water. The toluene was washed with 292 mL of saturated sodium chloride solution to aid water removal, and the toluene was then dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dry toluene solution was evaporated on an evaporator down to an oil 99.76 g. The oil was poured into 500 mL Erienmeyer flask and 150 mL of heptane was added. The solution was seeded with a few crystals from an earlier run and stored in a refrigerator overnight. The resulting solids were filtered. The crystals were washed twice with approximately 10 mL aliquots of chilled heptane while on the filter. The crystals were dried under vacuum for 15 minutes on the Buchner funnel and weighed. The slightly wet crystals weighed 65.4 grams. After drying overnight at room temperature in a 23" Hg vacuum the crystals weighed 65.37 g. A second crop of crystals, 6.34 g. was obtained by evaporating most of the heptane and chilling the mother liquor overnight under refrigeration. The crystals were dissolved in 440 mL of hot methanol at reflux. The crystals dissolved easily a; 66°C. The flask was allowed tc cool slowly towards room temperature and crystallization commenced at 51°C. The flask was then chilled to near 0°C in an ice-bath while fresh methanol was chilled as a wash.- The flask was held at 0°C for 1.5 hours and the slurry was then filtered. The solids were washed with a total of 110 mL of cold methanol in :wo washes. The wet weight of the crystals was 64.09 g. The crystals were dried in a 23" vacuum at room temperature over a weekend. The dried crystals weighed 62.64 g. Unlike the free A9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the tosylate derivative has been shown to be stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. The A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate) crystals were characterized by IF, proton NMR, C13 NMR and MS methods. The infrared spectrum for the tosylate was consistent with that for A9 THC, with additional bands for the organic sulfonate functionality. NMR analysis strongly supports the structure of A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate). Mass spectral results show the major component to have a molecular weight of 468 Da that is consistent with the molecular weight of A THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate). Further, the MS/MS fragmentation pattern is also consistent with the identification of the major component as A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate). EXAMPLE 2 ^--tetrahydrocannabinol-benzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing benzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. EXAMPLE 3 ^-tetrahydrocannabinol-4-methoxybenzene sulfonate crystals were formed as in Example I utilizing 4-methoxybenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl :hioride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratorv lishiine. EXAMPLE 4 y-tetrahydrocannabinoS-4-bromohenzeriesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 4-brornobenzene sulfony! chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. - EXAMPLE 5 A9-tetrahydrocannabino]-4-chlorobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 4-chlorobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. Tne resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. EXAMPLE 6 A -tetrahydrocannabinol-2-nitrobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 2-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. EXAMPLE 7 £C-te:rahydrocannabino!-3-nitrobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 3-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-tohiene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperarure in the presence of air and laboratory iishtins. • EXAMPLE 8 :^-;etrahydrocannabino!-4-nurobenzenesulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing ^-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize. EXAMPLE 9 A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-l-napthylsulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing 1-napthyl sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl"chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize. EXAMPLE 10 A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-2-napthylsulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing 2-napthyl sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize. EXAMPLE 11 ^-tetrahydrocannabinol-4-methyibenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizingΔ -tetrahydrocannabinol in place of A9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. EXAMPLE 12 Cannabinol-4-methylbenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing Cannabinol in place ofΔ-tetrahydrocannabinol. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. - EXAMPLE 13 Hvdrolvsis ofΔ-tetrahydrocannabinol tosviate to free A^-tetrahvdrocannabinol Twenty-five grams of purified A9-tetrahydrocannabinoJ-4-methylbenzene sulfonate ftosylate) assayed at 99+% pure was placed into a 500 mL, 3 neck, round bottomed flask under a nitrogen blanket. The flask was equipped for magnetic stirring, electronic temperature control, with a condenser, nitrogen bubbler, and a heating mantle. AH solvents utilized were deoxygenated by bubbling N2 through them for 15 minutes prior to use. 3.9 mLs of deionized water was added and then 162.5 mLs of 1 molar potassium butoxide in t-butanol (note 1) was added to the flask. The resulting slurry was heated to 65° C. The reaction was slightly exothermic, raising the temperature to 70.1° C, but settled back to 65° C, quickly. The reaction was held at 65° C. for 5 hours, and then cooled to room temperature. Water (250 mLs) was added and the reaction was stirred for 1.0 hour. It is anticipated that this process destroys a small amount of t-butyl tosylate that is formed in the reaction. Heptane (250 mLs) is then added. After stirring for several minutes, the mixture is transferred to a separator}' funnel (1000 mL) and separated. (A small amount of-water may be added if a small third phase of t-butanol is noted.) The heptane solution containing the cannabinoid product is washed 2 more times with 250 mL aliquots of deionized deoxygenated water. The pH of the firs: wash was 14, the second wash pH 9 and the third was pH 8. A preliminary drying was done by washing the heptane solution with 250 mL of saturated sodium chloride solution. The heptane was then dried with anhydrous MgSCV The solution was filtered and evaporated under vacuum to an oil (16.68 g.). The oil was distilled under high vacuum LC analysis of the product showed that it was > 99.9 area % A9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Comparison with a purchased standard material showed a purity of 104%. The product was scrupulously protected from light and oxygen and stored in a freezer to maintain this purity. Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made of the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents determine the scope of the invention. AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS: This listing of claims will replace all prior revisions, and listings, of claims in the aplication. Listing of Claims: 1. : Current!}' Amended ■■. Cannabinoid esters as represented by the formula comprising: Formuia A where in R . R;. R;. and R_ are H or an alkyl; A is a saturated alkare. alkene. diene or aromatic ring: and Y is an arvi selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkvl substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene and alkvioxv substituted benzene 2. (Canceled). 5 / Currency Amended L A process tor the preparation of cannabinoid aryl sulfonates comprising: reacting at least one cannabinoid with at 'east one aryl suifonyl haiide in the presence oi atleast one -use and a solver.:. Preliminary Amendment Attorney Docket No.; 1575 WOUS 4. (Original). The process according to Claim 3. wherein the cannabinoid is a naturally occurring component of cannabis. 5. f Original). The process according to Claim 3. wherein the aryl of the at least one aryl sulfonyi haiide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkyl substituted benzene. halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds 6. (Original). The process according to Claim 3, wherein the at least one base is at least one ternary amine. ". fOriginal). The process according to Claim 6. wherein the at least one tertiary amine vi representee by the formula RfRoNH, wherein R5 and R S. (Original). The process according to Claim 3. further includes mixing the at least one cannabinoid. the at least on^ aryl sulfonyi haiide and the at least one base in an organic solvent ono- to the reacting of the a: least one cannabinoic with the at least one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the rresence of the at least one base and further includes removing the organic solvent after the ster'orireacting the at leas: one cannabinoic with the a; least one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the presence of the at leas: one base. 9. (Originalj. The process according to Claim S. wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, methylene chloride, chloroform and heptane. 10. (Original). A process for the purification of a cannabinoic comprising: esterirymg the cannabinoic with at -east one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the presence of at leas: one base tc form a cannabinoic aryl sulfonate: ana allowing the cannabinoic aryl sulfonate 0; crystallize. Preliminary Amendment Attorney Docket No.: 1575 WO/US 11. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the allowing of the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to crystallize further* includes adding a: least one solvent and at least one seea erystaj. 12. (Original). The process according to Claim 11, therein the at least one solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol heptane, hexane. t-butyl methyl ether, n-per.tanol, n-butanci. isopropanol. isoburanol, ethanoi. acetone, acetonitrile and isopropyl acetate. 13. ^Original). The process according to Claim 10. further includes recrystailizing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate. 14. (Original,). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the cannabinoid is a naturally occurring component of cannabis. 15. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the arvl of the at least one any! suifony! halide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alky! substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds. 16. (Original). The process according tc Claim 10. wherein the at least one base is at least one tertian* amine. 3 7. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the at least one tertian-' amine is represented by the formula RsR^NH. wherein R5 and R, are alky! groups. 18. (Original). A process for the purification of a cannabinoid comprising: esterifying the cannabinoid with at least one ary] suifony ■ halide in the presence of at least one base to form a cannabinoid aryl sulfonate: allowing the cannabinoid arvi sulfonate to crvstallize; and Preliminary Amendment Attorney Docket No.: 1575 WO/US hydrolyzing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to recover the cannabinoid. 19. (Original). The process according to Claim 18. further includes recrystallizing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate. 20. (Original). The process according to Claiml8, wherein the cannabinoid is a naturally occurring component of cannabis. 21. (Original). The process according to Claim 18, wherein the aryl of the at least one aryl sulfonyl halide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkyl substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds. 22. (Original). The process according to Claim 18. wherein the at least one base is at least one tertiary amine. 23. (Original). The process according to Claim 18, wherein the at least one tertiary amine is represented by the formula R^RoNH, wherein R5 and R& are alkyl groups.

Full Text

CANNABINOID CRYSTALLINE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS OF CANNABINOID PURIFICATION
■ - Th,s application i, a national stage application of PCT VS03/35599. filed November 6 :003. W„,ch clanns the benefit of U.S. Prov.s.onai Applicat.on No. 60/425543 filed Novate
^—^.002. and U.S. Provisional -\DDlicatior) \Fn AOM^^- r+ j ^
--AupuLdiion NO. bU-bDO.:.. filed December 20. 2002.--
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cannabinoid crystalline derivatives and more particularly to cannabmoid-ary! sulfonates that can be utilized for purification and1'or storage of cannabinoid compounds.
BACKGROUND CF THE INVENTION
NaturalW occumne cannabinoids are the bioloeicallv active components 01 :ar.r.cb:s Pharmaceutical interest in cannabmoids has increased due to FDA approval o: ±-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) for several therapeutic applications. This interest has :eac to the development of synthetic cannabinoid compounds.
In general both narural and synthetic cannabinoids are very difficult molecules rework with, as they tend to be hard glasses that are prone to oxidation at room temperature "THC is a non-crystalline glass at room temperature, and is susceptible to rearrange men: and air oxidation. Although TKC is typically stored in a dark freezer under an inert gas. maintaining purity during storage is very difficult. These characteristics also complicate the use of cannabinoids as reactants in other synthesis methods or uses.
Purification of cannabinoids is also complicated by the characteristics listed above. Furthermore, many of the impurities commonly found in cannabinoid mixtures are aiso problematic. Conventional methods of purification typically involve the use of HPLC.
These methods are inconvenient and expensive, and make scaling up of the purification
.-•
nrocess impractical.

It is therefore desirable to provide a method for producing a cannabinoid[derivative that allows for ease in handling, stable storage, an improved method of purification, and that are easily converted back to a cannabinoid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention is to provide cannabinoid aryl sulfonates including those represented by the formula

wherein Rt, R2, R3, and R4 are H or an alkyl;
A is a saturated alkane, alkene, diene forming a six membered fused ring or an aromatic ring; and
Y is an aryl. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of cannabinoid esters comprising reacting cannabinoid with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a process for the purification of cannabinoid comprising esterifying the cannabinoid with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base to form cannabinoid aryl sulfonate, crystallizing the

cannabinoid aryl sulfonate, and hydrolyzing the cannabinoid ary] sulfonate to recover the cannabinoid. The cannabinoid aryl sulfonate crystals may be recrystallized to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate.
These are merely illustrative aspects of the present invention and should not be aeemed an all-inclusive listing of the innumerable aspects associated with the present invention. These and other aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
There is provided a process for the esterification of cannabinoids according to the reaction as follows:

Reaction I wherein Ri, R2) R3, and R4 are H or an alkyl;
A is a saturated alkane, alkene, diene or aromatic ring; Y is an ary! and X is a halide.

Impure cannabinoids can be treated with at least one aryl sulfonyl halide in the presence of at least one base to cause reaction at the phenol hydroxy group thereby producing aryi sulfonates.
The base is added to take up the halide acid produced by the esterification. Therefore, any suitable base that does not interfere with the esterification reaction may be used. Lower alkyl amines, especially tertiary amines such as triethyl amine provide inexpensive bases that are suitable for the present invention. Primary and secondary amines may be used, but will result in unwanted reactions with the sulfonyl halide. Amines of the formula R5R6R7N are preferred wherein R5, R^ and R7 may typically be lower alkyl radicals having from about one to about six carbon atoms.
The aryl group of the sulfonyl halide may be any aromatic system, substituted or unsubstituted, that does not interfere with the esterification reaction. Suitable aromatic systems include but are not limited to benzene, alkyl substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene and substituted and unsubstituted napthyl compounds. Preferred alkoxy substituents include an alkoxide directly attached to a tertiary carbon wherein the alkyloxy substituem may typically be from about one to about six carbon atoms.
In a preferred embodiment, the cannabinoid, aryl sulfonyl halide and a tertiary amine are mixed in an organic solvent and allowed to reac: at room temperature until completion, typically several hours. The choice of soiven; is no: critical, and suitable solvents include, bu; are no; limited to toluene, methylene chloride, chloroform and heptane. In an alternative embodiment, the reaction may be run at increased temperatures without affecting the efficacy of the reaction, although with minimal increase in reaction rate. Temperatures in the range of from about room temperature to about 80°C art typical.

The solvent is then removed by any suitable method so that the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate forms an oil that can then be crystallized. The crystallization can be aided by the addition of a solvent and seed crystals, as is well known in the art. Suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, hepcanfe, hexane, t-butyl methyl ether, n-pentanol, n-butanol, isopropanol, isobutanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile and isopropyl acetate. Alcohols, including methanol are preferred. In general the purity of this crude crystalline ester will be well over 90% pure. About 70 to 80% of the initially assayed cannabinoid can be obtained in the first crop of crystals. Purification of up to greater than 99% can typically be achieved by one recrystallization, preferable from an alcohol, with minimal losses in yield. (All percentages given herein are weight percentages unless otherwise noted.)
The resulting cannabinoid esters are highly crystalline and stable at room temperature. They can be stored indefinitely at room temperature under air.
The cannabinoid esters can then be-hydrolyzed to recover the pure cannabinoid by base hydrolysis, as is shown in the reaction below:

Reaction 2 wherein R|, R2, R3, and Rj are H or an alkyl; A is a saturated alkane, alkens, diene or aromatic ring. Y is an aryL M is a metal and Z is air alkyl, typically 1 C to 10 C. The hydrolysis can be accomplished by any method known in the art. In a preferred embodiment the base comprises at least one metal salt of an alkyl oxide in at least one alkyl aicohoi. Suitable bases include but are not limited to potassium methoxide, ethoxide, propoxide. isopropoxide, t-butoxide and t-pentanoxide, with tertiary alkoxides preferred. Suitable alcohols include but are not limited to methanol, ethanol. n-propanol, isopropanol, t-butanoi anc t-pentanol, with tertian' alkoxides preferred. The use of the same alkyl group for both the oxide and the alcohol is preferred to prevent exchange of the groups, for example, potassium t-butoxide in t-butanol with several equivalents of water added. The reaction preferably includes at least 3 equivalents of base anc at leas: - equivalents of water per equivalent of cannabinoid used. The reaction is preferably run at a temperature of at least

4r/C. The purity oi the recovered cannabinoid typically exceeds 99%, with 85% to y^% y;eids. AlkyI oxides and alcohols typically contain alkyl groups of one to about six carbon atoms for practical purposes, although larger alkyl groups may be used.
A suitable method of hydrolysis is comprised of placing the tosylate in a three-necked fisk under an inert atmosphere. The flask is typically equipped for magnetic stirring and electronic temperature control, with a condenser, inert gas bubbler and a heating mantle. Deionized water and then an alkyl oxide in alcohol are added to the flask. All solvents mazed are deoxygenated by bubbling with an inert gas. In one embodiment, the resulting s:urry is then heated to at least about 40° C to increase the reaction rate and to force the reaction to completion. While the reaction will proceed at lower temperatures, the reaction is preferably heated to about 40°Cto about 80°C, with about 50°C to about 70°C being optimum, t,-e maximum temperature being determined by the boiling point of the solvent being used. - Tne reaction mixture is maintained at the desired temperature until the reaction is substantially complete, typically about two to twelve hours, and then cooled to room temperature.
Deionized water is added, and the reaction stirred. An organic solvent is added, and trie resulting mixture stirred or agitated and placed in a separatory funnel and separated. The organic fraction containing the cannabinoid product is then washed with at least one aliquot of deionized deoxygenated water. The organic fraction is then typically dried with a salt solution, filtered and evaporated under vacuum to form an oil. Distillation of the resulting oil under high vacuum results in z highly purified cannabinoid product.
The following examples are offered to illustrate aspects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit or define the present invention in any manner.

Synthesis of A -tetrahydrocannabinol tosvlate
64.9g of A9-tetrahydrocannabinol, 292 mL of toluene, 21.7 mL of triethyl amine, and 41 .3 g. of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride were added to a 1000 mL, 3 neck, round bottom flask blanketed.with nitrogen. The reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature for about 16 hours. The reaction was checked by LC and was found to be complete. Water (292 mLs) was added, and the reaction was stirred for 20 minutes. The aqueous layer was separated, and the toluene solution was washed two more times with 292 mL aliquots of water. The toluene was washed with 292 mL of saturated sodium chloride solution to aid water removal, and the toluene was then dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The dry toluene solution was evaporated on an evaporator down to an oil 99.76 g. The oil was poured into 500 mL Erienmeyer flask and 150 mL of heptane was added. The solution was seeded with a few crystals from an earlier run and stored in a refrigerator overnight. The resulting solids were filtered. The crystals were washed twice with approximately 10 mL aliquots of chilled heptane while on the filter. The crystals were dried under vacuum for 15 minutes on the Buchner funnel and weighed. The slightly wet crystals weighed 65.4 grams. After drying overnight at room temperature in a 23" Hg vacuum the crystals weighed 65.37 g. A second crop of crystals, 6.34 g. was obtained by evaporating most of the heptane and chilling the mother liquor overnight under refrigeration.
The crystals were dissolved in 440 mL of hot methanol at reflux. The crystals dissolved easily a; 66°C. The flask was allowed tc cool slowly towards room temperature and crystallization commenced at 51°C. The flask was then chilled to near 0°C in an ice-bath while fresh methanol was chilled as a wash.- The flask was held at 0°C for 1.5 hours and the slurry was then filtered. The solids were washed with a total of 110 mL of cold methanol in :wo washes. The wet weight of the crystals was 64.09 g. The crystals were dried in a 23" vacuum at room temperature over a weekend. The dried crystals weighed 62.64 g. Unlike

the free A9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the tosylate derivative has been shown to be stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. The A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate) crystals were characterized by IF, proton NMR, C13 NMR and MS methods. The infrared spectrum for the tosylate was consistent with that for A9 THC, with additional bands for the organic sulfonate functionality. NMR analysis strongly supports the structure of A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate). Mass spectral results show the major component to have a molecular weight of 468 Da that is consistent with the molecular weight of A THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate). Further, the MS/MS fragmentation pattern is also consistent with the identification of the major component as A9 THC-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (tosylate).
EXAMPLE 2
^--tetrahydrocannabinol-benzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing benzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting.
EXAMPLE 3
^-tetrahydrocannabinol-4-methoxybenzene sulfonate crystals were formed as in Example I utilizing 4-methoxybenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl :hioride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratorv lishiine.
EXAMPLE 4
y-tetrahydrocannabinoS-4-bromohenzeriesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 4-brornobenzene sulfony! chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl

chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting.
- EXAMPLE 5
A9-tetrahydrocannabino]-4-chlorobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 4-chlorobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. Tne resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting.
EXAMPLE 6
A -tetrahydrocannabinol-2-nitrobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 2-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory
lighting.
EXAMPLE 7
£C-te:rahydrocannabino!-3-nitrobenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing 3-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-tohiene sulfonyl chloride. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperarure in the presence of air and laboratory
iishtins.
• EXAMPLE 8
:^-;etrahydrocannabino!-4-nurobenzenesulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing ^-nitrobenzene sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize.

EXAMPLE 9
A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-l-napthylsulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing 1-napthyl sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl"chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize.
EXAMPLE 10
A9-tetrahydrocannabinol-2-napthylsulfonate was formed as in Example 1 utilizing 2-napthyl sulfonyl chloride in place of p-toluene sulfonyl chloride, except the resulting oil did not crystallize.
EXAMPLE 11
^-tetrahydrocannabinol-4-methyibenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizingΔ -tetrahydrocannabinol in place of A9-tetrahydrocannabinol. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory
lighting.
EXAMPLE 12
Cannabinol-4-methylbenzenesulfonate crystals were formed as in Example 1 utilizing Cannabinol in place ofΔ-tetrahydrocannabinol. The resulting crystals were stable at room temperature in the presence of air and laboratory lighting. -
EXAMPLE 13
Hvdrolvsis ofΔ-tetrahydrocannabinol tosviate to free A^-tetrahvdrocannabinol

Twenty-five grams of purified A9-tetrahydrocannabinoJ-4-methylbenzene sulfonate ftosylate) assayed at 99+% pure was placed into a 500 mL, 3 neck, round bottomed flask under a nitrogen blanket. The flask was equipped for magnetic stirring, electronic temperature control, with a condenser, nitrogen bubbler, and a heating mantle.
AH solvents utilized were deoxygenated by bubbling N2 through them for 15 minutes prior to use. 3.9 mLs of deionized water was added and then 162.5 mLs of 1 molar potassium butoxide in t-butanol (note 1) was added to the flask. The resulting slurry was heated to 65° C. The reaction was slightly exothermic, raising the temperature to 70.1° C, but settled back to 65° C, quickly. The reaction was held at 65° C. for 5 hours, and then cooled to room temperature.
Water (250 mLs) was added and the reaction was stirred for 1.0 hour. It is anticipated that this process destroys a small amount of t-butyl tosylate that is formed in the reaction. Heptane (250 mLs) is then added. After stirring for several minutes, the mixture is transferred to a separator}' funnel (1000 mL) and separated. (A small amount of-water may be added if a small third phase of t-butanol is noted.) The heptane solution containing the cannabinoid product is washed 2 more times with 250 mL aliquots of deionized deoxygenated water. The pH of the firs: wash was 14, the second wash pH 9 and the third was pH 8.
A preliminary drying was done by washing the heptane solution with 250 mL of saturated sodium chloride solution.
The heptane was then dried with anhydrous MgSCV The solution was filtered and evaporated under vacuum to an oil (16.68 g.).
The oil was distilled under high vacuum
LC analysis of the product showed that it was > 99.9 area % A9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Comparison with a purchased standard material showed a purity of 104%. The product was scrupulously protected from light and oxygen and stored in a freezer to maintain this purity.
Having described the invention in detail, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made of the invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the specific embodiments described. Rather, it is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents determine the scope of the invention.

AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS:
This listing of claims will replace all prior revisions, and listings, of claims in the aplication.
Listing of Claims:
1. : Current!}' Amended ■■. Cannabinoid esters as represented by the formula
comprising:
Formuia A where in R . R;. R;. and R_ are H or an alkyl;
A is a saturated alkare. alkene. diene or aromatic ring: and
Y is an arvi selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkvl substituted benzene,
halogen substituted benzene and alkvioxv substituted benzene
2. (Canceled).
5 / Currency Amended L A process tor the preparation of cannabinoid aryl sulfonates comprising:
reacting at least one cannabinoid with at 'east one aryl suifonyl haiide in the presence oi atleast one -use and a solver.:.

Preliminary Amendment
Attorney Docket No.; 1575 WOUS
4. (Original). The process according to Claim 3. wherein the cannabinoid is a naturally
occurring component of cannabis.
5. f Original). The process according to Claim 3. wherein the aryl of the at least one aryl sulfonyi haiide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkyl substituted benzene. halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds
6. (Original). The process according to Claim 3, wherein the at least one base is at least one ternary amine.
". fOriginal). The process according to Claim 6. wherein the at least one tertiary amine vi representee by the formula RfRoNH, wherein R5 and R S. (Original). The process according to Claim 3. further includes mixing the at least one cannabinoid. the at least on^ aryl sulfonyi haiide and the at least one base in an organic solvent ono- to the reacting of the a: least one cannabinoic with the at least one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the rresence of the at least one base and further includes removing the organic solvent after the ster'orireacting the at leas: one cannabinoic with the a; least one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the presence of the at leas: one base.
9. (Originalj. The process according to Claim S. wherein the organic solvent is selected
from the group consisting of toluene, methylene chloride, chloroform and heptane.
10. (Original). A process for the purification of a cannabinoic comprising:
esterirymg the cannabinoic with at -east one aryl sulfonyi haiide in the presence of at
leas: one base tc form a cannabinoic aryl sulfonate: ana
allowing the cannabinoic aryl sulfonate 0; crystallize.

Preliminary Amendment
Attorney Docket No.: 1575 WO/US
11. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the allowing of the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to crystallize further* includes adding a: least one solvent and at least one seea erystaj.
12. (Original). The process according to Claim 11, therein the at least one solvent is selected from the group consisting of methanol heptane, hexane. t-butyl methyl ether, n-per.tanol, n-butanci. isopropanol. isoburanol, ethanoi. acetone, acetonitrile and isopropyl acetate.
13. ^Original). The process according to Claim 10. further includes recrystailizing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate.
14. (Original,). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the cannabinoid is a naturally occurring component of cannabis.
15. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the arvl of the at least one any! suifony! halide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alky! substituted benzene, halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds.
16. (Original). The process according tc Claim 10. wherein the at least one base is at
least one tertian* amine.
3 7. (Original). The process according to Claim 10. wherein the at least one tertian-' amine is represented by the formula RsR^NH. wherein R5 and R, are alky! groups.
18. (Original). A process for the purification of a cannabinoid comprising:
esterifying the cannabinoid with at least one ary] suifony ■ halide in the presence of at least one base to form a cannabinoid aryl sulfonate:
allowing the cannabinoid arvi sulfonate to crvstallize; and

Preliminary Amendment
Attorney Docket No.: 1575 WO/US
hydrolyzing the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to recover the cannabinoid.
19. (Original). The process according to Claim 18. further includes recrystallizing the
cannabinoid aryl sulfonate to purify the cannabinoid aryl sulfonate.
20. (Original). The process according to Claiml8, wherein the cannabinoid is a
naturally occurring component of cannabis.
21. (Original). The process according to Claim 18, wherein the aryl of the at least one
aryl sulfonyl halide is selected from the group consisting of benzene, alkyl substituted benzene,
halogen substituted benzene, nitrobenzene, alkyloxy substituted benzene, substituted napthyl
compounds and unsubstituted napthyl compounds.
22. (Original). The process according to Claim 18. wherein the at least one base is at
least one tertiary amine.
23. (Original). The process according to Claim 18, wherein the at least one tertiary
amine is represented by the formula R^RoNH, wherein R5 and R& are alkyl groups.

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Patent Number

219273

Indian Patent Application Number

876/CHENP/2005

PG Journal Number

23/2008

Publication Date

06-Jun-2008

Grant Date

28-Apr-2008

Date of Filing

10-May-2005

Name of Patentee

MALLINCKRODT INC

Applicant Address

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DUCHEK, John, R

PCT International Classification Number

C07D 311/80

PCT International Application Number

PCT/US2003/035599

PCT International Filing date

2003-11-06

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	60/425,543	2002-11-12	U.S.A.
2	60/435,027	2002-12-20	U.S.A.