Solvate structure melting point

Molecular structure and weight Melting point Thermal profile Particle size and shape Hygroscopicity potential Ionization constant Light stability Optical activity pH solubility profile pH stability profile Polymorphism potential Solvate formation... 

In a manner similar to that just described for differential thermal analysis, DSC can be used to obtain useful and characteristic thermal and melting point data for crystal polymorphs or solvate species. This information is of great importance to the pharmaceutical industry since many compounds can crystallize in more than one structural modification, and the FDA is vitally concerned with this possibility. Although the primary means of polymorph or solvate characterization s centered around x-ray diffraction methodology, in suitable situations thermal analysis can be used to advantage. 

A large number of compounds of pharmaceutical interest are capable of being crystallized in either more than one crystal lattice structure (polymorphs), with solvent molecules included in the crystal lattice (solvates), or in crystal lattices that combine the two characteristics (polymorphic solvates) [122,123]. A wide variety of structural explanations can account for the range of observed phenomena, as has been discussed in detail [124,125]. The pharmaceutical implications of polymorphism and solvate formation have been recognized for some time, with solubility, melting point, density, hardness, crystal shape, optical and electrical properties, vapor pressure, and virtually all the thermodynamic properties being known to vary with the differences in physical form [126]. 

Solid Form Selection A drug can exist in multiple forms in the solid state. If the two forms have the same molecular structure but different crystal packing, then they are polymorphs. Pseudopolymorphs (or solvatomorphs) differ in the level of hydration/solvation between forms. Polymorphs and pseudopolymorphs in principle will have a different solubility, melting point, dissolution rate, etc. While less thermodynamically stable, polymorphs have higher solubilities they also have the potential to convert to the more thermodynamically stable form. This form conversion can lead to reduced solubility for the formulated product. One example is ritonavir, a protease inhibitor compound used to treat acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Marketed by Abbott Labs as Norvir, this compound began production in a semisolid form and an oral liquid form. In July 1998, dissolution tests of several new batches of the product failed. The problem was traced to the appearance of a previously unknown polymorph (Form II) of the compound. This form is thermodynamically more stable than Form I and therefore is less soluble. In this case, the solubility is at least a factor of 2 below that of Form I.12 The discovery of this new polymorph ultimately led to a temporary withdrawal of the solid form of Norvir from the market and a search for a new formulation. 

The alkaloids of Sections II-VI and their transformation products are listed in alphabetical order in Tables 5-10. Derivatives have been listed in the order (a) quaternary ammonium salts, (6) A-alkyl derivatives, and (c) 0- and A-acyl derivatives. Alkaloids of unknown structure, listed in Table 11, follow the same order, except that products of reduction are listed after the quaternary salts. Figures enclosed in parentheses designate melting points of polymorphic and/or solvated crystal modifications. 

When a material can crystallize into a different polymorph, the chemical nature of the species remains identical, however, the physical properties of the material can be different. For example, properties such as density, heat capacity, melting point, thermal conductivity, and optical activity can vary from one polymorph to another. Table 2.3 lists common materials that exhibit polymorphism. Looking at Table 2.3 we can see that density varies significantly for the same materials when the crystal structure has changed. In addition, the change in the crystal structure often means a change in the external shape of the crystal, which is often an important parameter in industrial crystallization that has to be controlled. Many substances crystallize into structure in which the solvent is present as part of the crystal lattice. These crystals are known as solvates (or hydrates when the solvent is water). A substance can have multiple solvates with different crystal structures as well as a solvent free crystal form with a unique crystal structure. The solvates are often referred to as pseudopolymorphs. They are not true polymorphs because of the addition of the solvent molecule(s) to the crystal lattice. Conformational polymorphism refers to the situation where the molecular conformation of the molecules of a given substance are different in each polymorph. 

W. A. Henderson, Solid State Ionics 2012, 217, 1-5. Influence of polymer chain length and chains ends on polyelectrolyte solvate structure and melting point. 

In the following paragraphs, some application examples will be presented, starting with a short introduction to COSMO-RS (Section 9.2), followed by solubility predictions in pure and mixed solvents (Section 9.3). A modification using several reference solubilities is shown in Section 9.4 whereas Section 9.5 is about quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models of the melting point and the enthalpy of fusion. The final Sections 9.6 and 9.7 deal with COSMO-RS-based coformer selection for cocrystal screening and the related issue of solvent selection to avoid solvate formation. 

The most common crystalline forms are polymorphs, hydrates, and solvates (pseudopolymorphs). Polymorphs are formed when a substance crystallizes in two or more crystal structures. Polymorphism significantly impacts on physicochemical properties of materials, such as stability, density, melting point, solubility, bioavailability, and so on. Hence the characterization of all possible polymorphs, identifying the stable (thermodynamic) polymorph, and design of reliable processes for consistent production are critical in modem day drug development. 

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