# US 10,246,431 B2 · Process to extract and purify Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol

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- Number: US 10,246,431 B2
- Document ID: US10246431B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/052,150
- Filed: 2018-08-01
- Published: 2018-11-29
- Granted: 2019-04-02
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-07
- Assignees: Axim Biotechnologies, Inc.
- Applicants: AXIM Biotechnologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Lekhram Changoer; Cornelis Herman Michel Van Der Loo; Erik Keller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246431B2

## CPC

- C07D 311/80: Dibenzopyrans; Hydrogenated dibenzopyrans
- B01D 11/0288: {Applications, solvents}
- C07D: HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS (macromolecular compounds C08)
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)

## Abstract

Δ9-THC carboxylic acid is extracted from cannabis flowers using a first organic solvent, then separated using a second aqueous solvent. Δ9-THC carboxylic acid is converted to Δ9-THC carboxylic salt before being extracted by a third organic solvent and converted back to Δ9-THC carboxylic acid. Using a solvent swap, Δ9-THC carboxylic acid is decarboxylated and extracted again with an organic solvent prior to purification to give Δ9-THC.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of producing delta9-THC consisting essentially of:
extracting delta9-THC carboxylic acid from cannabis flowers using heptane to obtain a heptane extract;
filtering the heptane extract to remove solid plant matter;
separating the delta9-THC carboxylic acid from the heptane extract by contacting the heptane extract with sodium chloride water adjusted to a pH range of 13.2 to 13.4 using an inorganic base to form a liquid mixture; stirring the liquid mixture; and leaving the liquid mixture to settle, wherein the liquid mixture forms three layers consisting of a first organic layer, a second oily layer, and third aqueous layer; and
separating out the oily layer from the other two layers to yield the delta9-THC.