Selective Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Delta-9-THC Using Amide Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from other cannabinoids are inefficient, requiring excessive solvents and multiple extraction stages, and often fail to achieve high purity due to low selectivity and high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a heterogeneous liquid mixture with distinct immiscible phases, where delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol preferentially associates with one phase and other cannabinoids with another, utilizing amide-containing liquids and aliphatic hydrocarbons to achieve selective partitioning and efficient extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional extraction methods are used to separate delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol from other cannabinoids, then the separation process can be performed with simple equipment, but excessive solvents are required and multiple extraction stages are needed resulting in low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by introducing amide-containing compounds that form hydrogen-bonded complexes specifically with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This parameter change in the solvent system enables highly selective extraction in a single stage, dramatically improving productivity while reducing solvent consumption compared to conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The amide-containing compound acts as an intermediary that mediates the selective interaction between the solvent system and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This intermediary forms hydrogen-bonded complexes that preferentially bind delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, enabling efficient separation with reduced solvent requirements
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the selectivity is low resulting in failure to achieve high purity
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the chemical parameters of the extraction system through amide-containing compounds, the invention achieves high selectivity and purity in a single extraction stage, eliminating the need for multiple sequential extractions required by conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces local chemical quality through amide-containing compounds that create specific hydrogen-bonding sites selective for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. This localized selective interaction enables high purity separation without requiring multiple extraction stages
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the process can be performed with standard solvents, but the operational costs are high due to excessive solvent use and multiple stages
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the solvent system parameters by incorporating amide-containing compounds that provide selective binding. This parameter change reduces the quantity of solvent required and eliminates multiple extraction stages, thereby reducing operational costs while maintaining process simplicity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables high extraction efficiency of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol with reduced solvent use and fewer extraction stages, achieving higher purity and lower operational costs compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
exposing a mixture comprising the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol to a heterogeneous liquid mixture, wherein the heterogeneous liquid mixture comprises a first liquid phase and a second liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
the mole fraction of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol relative to the sum of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol in the first liquid phase is greater than the mole fraction of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol relative to the sum of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and the delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol in the mixture
Implementation Method 3
utilizing amide-containing liquids and aliphatic hydrocarbons to achieve selective partitioning and efficient extraction
Implementation Method 4
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol preferentially associates with the first liquid phase and the delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol preferentially associates with the second liquid phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to the separation of chemical species using multiple liquid phases.