Raphael Mechoulam

1930–2023 · Israeli · Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Opened cannabinoid science. With Yechiel Gaoni he elucidated the structure of cannabidiol (1963) and Δ9-THC (1964) and completed their total synthesis in 1965 — before that, nobody knew which molecule in cannabis was responsible for what. He later directed the work that isolated the first endocannabinoid, anandamide, and created the HU series including the very potent HU-210.

Compounds credited overall: dozens of cannabinoids, including the HU series

On this site

• Cannabinoids
• CBD C21H30O2 isolated it, 1963

  Structure and stereochemistry, with Yechiel Gaoni.

• THC (Δ9-THC) C21H30O2 isolated it, 1964

  Structure elucidated 1964, total synthesis 1965.

• Anandamide C22H37NO2 isolated it, 1992

  Directed the work; the isolation was Devane and Hanuš.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raphael_Mechoulam