FIGURE 1.

Phytocannabinoids are divided into subclasses according to their structure. Prenylation of olivetolic acid with the isoprenoid geranyl pyrophosphate forms CBGA. Less frequently, instead of olivetolic acid other molecules with different length alkyl side-chain serve as precursors. The acid forms THCA, CBDA and CBCA are synthesized in the Cannabis plant from CBGA. The neutral forms and other subclasses of phytocannabinoids are the result of chemical processes such as decarboxylation, isomerization and others. The shared core of olivetolic acid by the different subclasses is depicted in red. Subclass 11 includes phytocannabinoids identified by mass spectrometry in different Cannabis chemovars, whose structures have not been elucidated yet.