Synthesis of a primary metabolite of cannabidiol

Cannabidiol 1 is the major nonpsychotropic, neutral constituent in most cannabis preparations. It is devoid of the psychoactive properties typical of cannabis; however, it produces numerous, potentially therapeutic pharmacological effects, some of which may be due to its metabolites. We report now the first total synthesis of 7-hydroxycannabidiol 2, a primary metabolite of cannabidiol, in an eight-step procedure.