How is HHC produced? Hemp's journey through the jungle from its botanical origins to the hydrogenation and chemical structure of HHC

• Where does HHC come from? Or the search begins in the greenhouse
• How is hexahydrocannabinol made? We continue the expedition in the laboratory
• The hydrogenation process: when hydrogen leads to new horizons
• Molecular contrast of HHC: Unraveling two variant molecules
• A look at the chemical structure of HHC, THC and CBD
• Table comparing the chemical structure of HHC, CBD and THC
• The end of an exploratory expedition: Only a safe trip into the wilderness with a vetted guide

Where does HHC come from? Or the search begins in the greenhouse

The beginning of the jungle may be dense and wild, but the sun is showing us the way to discover where HHC comes from. Inside the greenhouse, beyond the orchids, we find miraculous exotic plants. At first glance, they seem extraordinary. The cannabis plant stands out among them all with its striking appearance and distinctive scent. 

As soon as we touch the green leaves, we can't miss the buds, which have clusters of resin (trichomes) on their surface. The resin in particular contains high levels of substances called cannabinoids. Among these cannabinoids are the famous CBD and THC. 

This begs the question, "Is HHC in there?" A moment of suspense... Yes! Didn't you see that coming? HHC is a kind of silent whisper in the cannabis plant. It's just that because HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) is only found in minute amounts in the cannabis plant, a human or chemical process needs to intervene. At the moment, synthetic production of HHC is the way forward. It is because of the method of production that HHC is referred to as a semi-synthetic cannabinoid.

Now we go to where the monkeys frolic in the branches and find the answers to how HHC is made.

How is hexahydrocannabinol made? We continue our expedition in the lab.

We enter the lab, the place where cannabinoid molecules are transformed through the process of hydrogenation. This process breaks down the molecular structure of natural cannabinoids in a pressure vessel and replaces it with hydrogen. The chemical process makes it possible to convert CBD or THC extracts into HHC. 

As THC still has to be hidden in the recesses of the jungle in most countries, technical hemp with a high CBD (cannabidiol) content is used to produce HHC.

The hydrogenation process: when hydrogen leads to new horizons

Hydrogenation is used to produce products we consume regularly, such as margarine. But that doesn't mean it's a trivial process that we can do ourselves. The process can be dangerous and requires solid scientific know-how.

In fact, HHC was discovered as early as 1944 by Roger Adams, who described the process in his 1947 patent. Adams added a hydrogen molecule to delta 9-THC, and through hydrogenation, converted THC into HHC. 

In principle, this is a process whereby manufacturers take CBD and expose it to a nickel or zinc catalyst. When concentrated CBD is exposed to high pressure, its double bonds are broken, destabilising its structure. The missing double bonds are filled with hydrogen, which restores stability.

Molecular contrast of HHC: Deciphering two variant molecules

There are 2 different types of HHC molecules to distinguish: the 9R HHC and the 9S HHC. The 9R HHC resembles the rainbow parrot that attracts attention and everyone knows about. The 9S HHC, on the other hand, is an inconspicuous bird whose song is rarely heard in the forest.

The active 9R HHC molecule invites neureceptors to dance, whereas the 9S HHC is more likely to rest in the shade of a tree. This suggests that the ratio in which the 9S HHC and 9R HHC molecules occur affects the effect of the HHC product.

The HHC with a higher proportion of 9R seems to have a more intense effect because the 9R molecule is more likely to bind to endocannabinoid receptors.

A look at the chemical structure of HHC, THC and CBD

The last stop on our journey is a peek into the chemical structure of HHC, THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD. These cannabinoids have a similar chemical structure, which is evident from their molecular formula. HHC has a different chemical formula than CBD and THC, and the structural arrangement of each cannabinoid is also different.

HHC has 4 related compounds (structurally related analogues) with which it should not be confused:

• 9-OH-HHC (9α-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol)
• 7-OH-HHC (7-hydroxyhexahydrocannabinol)
• Cannabiripsol [(6aR,9S,10S,10aR)-9 = 10-dihydroxyhexahydrocannabinol]
• HU243 [11-hydroxy-3 = (1′,1′-dimethylheptyl) hexahydrocannabinol]

Tabulka porovnání chemické struktury HHC, CBD a THC

Cannabinoid	Chemical formula	Molar mass	Structural arrangement
HHC	C21H32O2	316,485 g/mol	Typical absence of a double bond on the upper structure of THC
CBD	C21H30O2	314,464 g/mol	2 hydroxyl groups on carbon
THC	C21H30O2	314,464 g/mol	1 hydroxyl group

Tip: For more interesting information, see also the articles Comparison of HHC and THC: what they have in common and how they differ and HHC vs. CBD - similarities and differences.

The end of the exploration expedition: only a safe trip into the jungle with a verified guide

Deep in the jungle you will also find HHC, a hitherto little-studied cannabinoid that is found in the cannabis plant, but only in a minority, and is therefore produced in the laboratory from CBD by a process of hydrogenation. 

How strong the HHC is depends on the ratio of 9R and 9S HHC molecules it contains. HHC products with a higher content of 9R HHC molecules are considered more potent as they are better able to bind to endocannabinoid receptors. 

We rely on our experience in our expeditions. The reputation of a good guide spreads throughout the forest and his name is a symbol of quality and safety. As your guides, we will show you the right way and make sure you have safe and quality products. 

Adventuring in the jungle requires caution, whether you are looking for rare herbs or innovative products. With a proven guide by your side, you'll safely explore the world of HHC.

 

Author: Patricie Mikolášová

Photo: Shutterstock

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