Electrochemical Oxidation of & UDelta;(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol at Nanomolar Concentrations

Withincreasing marijuana legalization, there is a growing needfor technology that can determine if an individual is impaired dueto recent marijuana usage. The electrochemical oxidation of & UDelta;(9)-THC to form its corresponding quinones can be used as a frameworkto develop an electrochemical sensor for & UDelta;(9)-THC.This study describes an electrochemical oxidation of & UDelta;(9)-THC that uses a copper anode, a platinum cathode, and an atmosphereof oxygen. The oxidation is feasible at nanomolar concentrations,which approaches the reactivity that is necessary for developing areal-world marijuana breathalyzer. Moreover, we show that vaporized & UDelta;(9)-THC can be captured directly in an electrolytemedium and subjected to electrochemical oxidation, thus paving theway for use in future technology development.

Automated summary

With increasing marijuana legalization, there is a need for technology that can determine recent marijuana usage. This study explores the electrochemical oxidation of & UDelta;(9)-THC as a framework for developing an electrochemical sensor. The oxidation process, using a copper anode, platinum cathode, and oxygen atmosphere, is feasible at nanomolar concentrations. The research also demonstrates the possibility of capturing vaporized & UDelta;(9)-THC in an electrolyte medium for electrochemical oxidation, paving the way for future technology development.