Vibrational spectroscopic characterisation of salmeterol xinafoate polymorphs and a preliminary investigation of their transformation using simultaneous in situ portable Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

Knowledge and control of the polymorphic phases of chemical compounds are important aspects of drug development in the pharmaceutical industry. Salmeterol xinafoate, a long acting β-adrenergic receptor agonist, exists in two polymorphic Forms, I and II. Raman and near infrared spectra were obtained of these polymorphs at selected wavelengths in the range of 488–1064 nm; significant differences in the Raman and near-infrared spectra were apparent and key spectral marker bands have been identified for the vibrational spectroscopic characterisation of the individual polymorphs which were also characterised with X ray diffractometry. The solid-state transition of salmeterol xinafoate polymorphs was studied using simultaneous in situ portable Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry isothermally between transitions. This method assisted in the unambiguous characterisation of the two polymorphic forms by providing a simultaneous probe of both the thermal and vibrational data. The study demonstrates the value of a rapid in situ analysis of a drug polymorph which can be of potential value for at-line in-process control.     

Polymorphic transformation as a result of atovaquone incompatibility with selected excipients

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and hot-stage microscopy were employed to evaluate the drug–excipient compatibility of atovaquone with commonly used tablet excipients. The DSC curves of pure drug and excipients were compared with their physical mixtures. Microcrystalline cellulose, titanium dioxide, colloidal silica, ferric oxide, lactose monohydrate, and sodium starch glycolate were compatible, while magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 8000, Poloxamer 188, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) E15 showed incompatibility with the drug. Heat–cool–heat analysis of the physical and the ground mixture of later three excipients showed polymorphic transformation of atovaquone form III to form I, which occurred via amorphization with HPMC E15 and through solubilization mechanism with remaining two excipients. These outcomes were further supported by hot-stage microscopy. Results of milling experiments revealed a milling time-dependent polymorphic transformation and solubilization with HPMC E15 and PEG 8000, respectively. This study highlights the importance of compatibility assessment for selection of excipients in specific unit operations such as milling and grinding.     

Effect of gold nanoparticle attached multi-walled carbon nanotube-layered indium tin oxide in monitoring the effect of paracetamol on the release of epinephrine

Raman spectroscopy and control charts based on the net analyte signal (NAS) were applied to polymorphic characterization of carbamazepine. Carbamazepine presents four polymorphic forms: I-IV (dihydrate). X-ray powder diffraction was used as a reference technique. The control charts were built generating three charts: the NAS chart that corresponds to the analyte of interest (form III in this case), the interference chart that corresponds to the contribution of other compounds in the sample and the residual chart that corresponds to nonsystematic variations. For each chart, statistical limits were developed using samples within the quality specifications. It was possible to identify the different polymorphic forms of carbamazepine present in pharmaceutical formulations. Thus, an alternative method for the quality monitoring of the carbamazepine polymorphic forms after the crystallization process is presented.     

The Physico-Chemical Properties of Glipizide: New Findings

The present work is a concrete example of how physico-chemical studies, if performed in depth, are crucial to understand the behavior of pharmaceutical solids and constitute a solid basis for the control of the reproducibility of the industrial batches. In particular, a deep study of the thermal behavior of glipizide, a hypoglycemic drug, was carried out with the aim of clarifying whether the recognition of its polymorphic forms can really be done on the basis of the endothermic peak that the literature studies attribute to the melting of the compound. A number of analytical techniques were used: thermal techniques (DSC, TGA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Great attention was paid to the experimental design and to the interpretation of the combined results obtained by all these techniques. We proved that the attribution of the endothermic peak shown by glipizide to its melting was actually wrong. The DSC peak is no doubt triggered by a decomposition process that involves gas evolution (cyclohexanamine and carbon dioxide) and formation of 5-methyl-N-[2-(4-sulphamoylphenyl) ethyl] pyrazine-2-carboxamide, which remains as decomposition residue. Thermal treatments properly designed and the combined use of DSC with FT-IR and XRPD led to identifying a new polymorphic form of 5-methyl-N-[2-(4-sulphamoylphenyl) ethyl] pyrazine-2-carboxamide, which is obtained by crystallization from the melt. Hence, our results put into evidence that the check of the polymorphic form of glipizide cannot be based on the temperature values of the DSC peak, since such a peak is due to a decomposition process whose Tonset value is strongly affected by the particle size. Kinetic studies of the decomposition process show the high stability of solid glipizide at room temperature.     

A tale of two polymorphic pharmaceuticals: pyrithyldione and propyphenazone and their 1937 co-crystal patent

A co-crystal of two polymorphic active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), first reported and patented in 1937, has been prepared and thoroughly characterised, including crystal structure analysis. The existence of four crystal forms of one of the APIs, the sedative and hypnotic active pharmaceutical ingredient 3,3-diethyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyridinedione, pyrithyldione (PYR), and of three crystal forms of the co-crystal-forming second API, the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug 1,2-dihydro-1,5-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one, propyphenazone (PROP), has been reported previously, but they have only been partly characterised. For both compounds, none of the metastable forms exist at room temperature. DSC, hot-stage microscopy, X-ray diffraction and powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction were employed to characterise the polymorphic forms and to determine the crystal structures of forms I-III of PYR and forms I and II of PROP.     

Thermal studies on polymorphic structures of tibolone

Tibolone polymorphic forms I (monoclinic) and II (triclinic) have been prepared by recrystallization from acetone and toluene, respectively, and characterized by different techniques sensitive to changes in solid state, such as polarized light microscopy, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermal analysis (TG/DTG/DSC), and vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman microscopy). The nonisothermal decomposition kinetics of the obtained polymorphs were studied using thermogravimetry. The activation energies were calculated through the Ozawa’s method for the first step of decomposition, the triclinic form showed a lower E _a (91 kJ mol⁻¹) than the monoclinic one (95 kJ mol⁻¹). Furthermore, Raman microscopy and DSC at low heating rates were used to identify and follow the thermal decomposition of the triclinic form, showing the existence of three thermal events before the first mass loss.     

Thermogravimetric analysis and hot-stage Raman spectroscopy of cubic indium hydroxide

The transition of cubic indium hydroxide to cubic indium oxide has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis complimented with hot-stage Raman spectroscopy. Thermal analysis shows the transition of In(OH)₃ to In₂O₃ occurs at 219 °C. The structure and morphology of In(OH)₃ synthesised using a soft chemical route at low temperatures was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. A topotactical relationship exists between the micro/nano-cubes of In(OH)₃ and In₂O₃. The Raman spectrum of In(OH)₃ is characterised by an intense sharp band at 309 cm⁻¹ attributed to ν₁ In–O symmetric stretching mode, bands at 1137 and 1155 cm⁻¹ attributed to In-OH δ deformation modes, bands at 3083, 3215, 3123 and 3262 cm⁻¹ assigned to the OH stretching vibrations. Upon thermal treatment of In(OH)₃, new Raman bands are observed at 125, 295, 488 and 615 cm⁻¹ attributed to In₂O₃. Changes in the structure of In(OH)₃ with thermal treatment is readily followed by hot-stage Raman spectroscopy.     

Qualitative Discrimination Between Paracetamol Tablets Made by Near Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics With Regard to Polymorphism

Polymorphism is an important characteristic of pharmaceutical products because different polymorphs exhibit different physicochemical stabilities, dissolution rates, etc., which makes them different in therapeutic efficiency. Thus, it is important to control the polymorphic structure of pharmaceutical products. A spectroscopy method based on Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and chemometric techniques is introduced to classify paracetamol preparations according to polymorphic changes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FT-NIR studies were carried out on standard samples, paracetamol preparations (acetaminophen tablet), and also the additives. A direct comparison was performed between the spectroscopic data and those obtained by XRD. The NIR and XRD analyses of paracetamol preparations show some distinct differences, particularly in the Iranian tablet. These differences are found to be related to polymorphism and paracetamol purity. The cluster analysis (CA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were utilized to classify the paracetamol preparations. FT-NIR spectroscopy provides a simple, rapid and accurate qualitative analysis method for the identification of paracetamol polymorphs.     

Raman spectroscopic investigation of cocaine hydrochloride on human nail in a forensic context

This study describes the application of Raman spectroscopy to the detection of drugs of abuse and noncontrolled substances used in the adulteration of drugs of abuse on human nail. Contamination of the nail may result from handling or abusing these substances. Raman spectra of pure cocaine hydrochloride, a seized street sample of cocaine hydrochloride (77%), and paracetamol could be acquired from drug crystals on the surface of the nail. An added difficulty in the analytical procedure is afforded by the presence of a nail varnish coating the nail fragment. By using confocal Raman spectroscopy, spectra of the drugs under nail varnish could be acquired. Spectra of the drugs could be readily obtained nondestructively within three minutes with little or no sample preparation. Raman spectra could be acquired from drug particles with an average size of 5–20 μm. Acquisition of Raman point maps of crystals from both pure and street samples of cocaine hydrochloride under nail varnish is also reported. Figure Raman spectrum and point Raman map of cocaine HCI     

Vibrational spectra and conformational analysis of 1,3-dithia-5,6-benzocycloheptenes

The equilibrium between the chair and boat forms of 1,3-dithia-5,6-benzocycloheptene and its 2-Me, t-Bu, and Ph derivatives has been established by Raman and IR spectroscopy, and their spectroscopic characteristics have been revealed. In liquids the chair forms of 1,3-dithia(or dioxa)-5,6-benzocycloheptenes have C_s symmetry for the ring, and the twist forms of the seven-membered acetals have C₂ symmetry.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 2014–2019, September, 1989.     

Physicochemical characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor alogliptin in physical mixtures with excipients

Alogliptin (ALG) is a hypoglycemic drug used in diabetes which inhibits the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), preventing the degradation of incretins, stimulating insulin secretion. The physicochemical characteristics of ALG were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS). The compatibility studies were carried out between ALG and excipients (physical mixtures, 1:1) using DSC, TG, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and hot-stage microscopy. ALG presented purity near to 99%, melted in the range of 179.4–187.2 °C, followed by decomposition which started in 198.0 °C. SEM/EMS analysis of ALG presented irregular crystals and traces of impurities as copper and lead. DSC investigations obtained by physical mixtures showed minor alterations in the melting ranges of ALG with mannitol, magnesium stearate and commercial tablets. Solubilization of ALG in the fused excipient was observed by hot-stage microscopy between mannitol and ALG, and in tablets. The interaction observed in the mixture with magnesium stearate is due to the melting of the excipient and drug separately, first the excipient and then the drug. FTIR showed additional bands related to the excipients. XRPD proved that ALG has a crystal form and no alterations in the ALG profile were observed after the mixtures. ALG was compatible with all excipients tested. These results were important to understand the characteristics, stability and compatibility of the drug, and proved to be useful in preformulation studies.

     

Thermal stability of aripiprazole monohydrate investigated by Raman spectroscopy

Aripiprazole (7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril) is a well-known antipsychotic oral drug, whose molecular structure makes it suitable for polymorphism. Several crystalline structures were reported in the literature including anhydrate, hydrate and solvate modifications. It was observed that aripiprazole monohydrate exhibits a complex dehydration dynamics which was not completely elucidated. In this work the dehydration process of the aripiprazole hydrate was investigated by using Raman scattering, hot-stage microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The temperature evolution of the Raman spectra was analyzed through the multivariate statistical method of principal component analysis. Our results support that the dehydration process of aripiprazole is divided into two steps. First a diffusion-controlled loss of water followed by a fast nucleation and crystallization of the anhydrous form.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic stability of cluster compounds under heating

A new polymorphic form of Norfloxacin has been identified and fully characterized by a variety of methods including powder X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy (IR and Raman), thermal analysis (DSC and TG), SEM and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The relationship between the new form C and the previously known forms A and B have been studied. Moreover, the crystal structure of the known form A has been solved by single-crystal methods.     

Wettability of paracetamol polymorphic forms I and II

It is well known that different forms of solid-state polymorphic materials exhibit diverse physicochemical properties. The variations in the wetting and surface energetics of a pair of organic polymorphic solids are reported in detail here for the first time. The growth of macroscopic single crystals (facet area >1 cm(2)) of paracetamol has enabled for the first time the direct measurement of advancing contact angles, theta(A) for water and diiodomethane on a range of specific facets for two polymorphs; forms I and II. Not only was the wetting behavior found to be anisotropic, as has been recently reported, but the differing polymorphic forms exhibited significant variations in their wetting behavior for the same Miller indexed faces. The (001), (010), and (110) faces were studied, and the observed wettability data differed confirming the independence of facet wettability and Miller indices for both polymorphs. theta(A) was found to be very sensitive to the local surface chemistry for each facet examined, which in turn is a direct consequence of the molecular packing and structure within the crystal lattice. On the basis of the theta(A) value of water, the hydrophilicity rankings for the facet surfaces of form II examined is: (010) approximately (110) > (001). This experimental study highlights complex surface chemistry of polymorphic solids in which anisotropic surface energies were observed for both forms of paracetamol, strongly suggesting that such anisotropic wetting behavior is the norm for organic crystalline solids. Furthermore, the same Miller indexed facets for forms I and II exhibited very different surface chemical behavior, such that it was not possible to infer understanding about one form based upon knowledge of another form.     

Development of a Multimatrix UHPLC-MS/MS Method for the Determination of Paracetamol and Its Metabolites in Animal Tissues

Paracetamol/acetaminophen (APAP) is one of the most popular pharmacologically active substances used as an analgesic and antipyretic agent. The metabolism of this drug occurs in the liver and leads to the formation of two main metabolites—glucuronic acid and sulfate derivate. Despite the wide use of paracetamol in veterinary medicine, a handful of analytical methods were published for the determination of paracetamol residues in animal tissues. In this paper, a multimatrix method has been developed for the determination of paracetamol and two metabolites—paracetamol sulfate (PS) and p-Acetamidophenyl β-D-glucuronide (PG). A validation procedure was conducted to verify method reliability and fit purpose as a tool for analyzing acetaminophen and metabolites in muscle, liver, lung, and kidney samples from different species of animals. Established validation parameters were in agreement with acceptable criteria laid by the European legislation. The initial significant matrix effect was successfully reduced by implementing an internal standard—4-Acetamidophenyl β-D-glucuronide-d3 (PG-d3, IS). The usefulness of the developed method was verified by analyzing samples from an experiment in which paracetamol was administrated to geese.     

Photophysical and Electrochemical Studies of Anchored Chromium (III) Complex on Reduced Graphene Oxide via Diazonium Chemistry

Covalently anchored chromium complex on reduced graphene oxide (rGO‐Cr) is successfully synthesised through trimethoxy silyl propanamine (TMSPA) and phenyl azo salicylaldehyde (PAS) coupling. The rGO‐Cr is characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron dispersive analysis of X‐rays (EDAX), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Absorption and emission properties of rGO‐TMSPA‐PAS are studied by excitation dependent photoluminescence emissions at room temperature. Electrochemical sensing activity of rGO‐Cr is monitored for paracetamol using modified glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated that rGO‐Cr substantially enhance the eletrochemical response of paracetamol. The experimental factors are investigated and optimized.     

NIR FT Raman Spectroscopy–a Rapid Analytical Tool for Detecting the Transformation of Cellulose Polymorphs

This is a report of the combined use of NIR FT Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements (WAXS) to investigate the polymorphic transformation of cellulose I into cellulose II. For this reason samples of cellulose I were swelled in different concentrations of NaOH and dissolved in different molten inorganic salts hydrates (LiCl·2ZnCl₂·6H₂O, LiClO₄·3H₂O, LiSCN·2,5H₂O and ZnCl₂·4H₂O). NIR FT Raman spectra of the alkali treated samples were recorded. They characterize the pure modifications cellulose I and II as well as mixtures of the two polymorphic phases. The results of the Raman measurements were confirmed by X-ray scattering. The paper demonstrates that FT Raman vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful, rapid analytical method which may be used to follow the polymorphic transformation of cellulose I into cellulose II.     

Fine tuning of gadolinium doped ceria electrolyte nanoparticles via reverse microemulsion process

Gadolinium doped ceria (Gd–CeO₂) nanoparticles have been synthesized by an reverse microemulsion system using cyclohexane as the oil phase, a non-ionic surfactant Igepal CO 520 and their mixed aqueous solutions of gadolinium III nitrate hexahydrate and cerium III nitrate hexahydrate as the water phase. The control of particle size was achieved by varying the water to surfactant molar ratio. The synthesized and calcined powders were characterized by thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. The XRD results show that all the samples calcined at 700 °C were single phase cubic fluorite structure. The average size of the particle was found to increase with increase in water to surfactant molar ratio (R). The mean diameter of the particle for various value of R varies between 8–15 nm (SEM) and 7.5–11 nm (TEM), respectively. EDS confirm the presence of gadolinia and ceria phase in the nanopowder calcined at 700 °C. FTIR analysis was carried to monitor the elimination of residual oil and surfactant phases from the microemulsion-derived precursor and calcined powder. Raman spectroscopy and DTA evidenced the formation of a solid solution of gadolinium doped ceria at room temperature.     

Thermal Behavior of Paracetamol-Polymeric Excipients Mixtures

The thermal behavior of binary mixtures of paracetamol and a polymeric excipient (microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone)) was investigated. The physical mixtures, ranging from 50 to 90% by mass of drug, were submitted to a heating-cooling-heating program in the 35–180°C temperature range. Solid-state analysis was performed by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hot stage microscopy (HSM), micro-Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (MFTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The polymeric excipients were found to address in a reproducible manner the recrystallization of molten paracetamol within the binary mixture into Form II or Form III. The degree of crystallinity of paracetamol in the binary mixtures, evaluated from fusion enthalpies during the first and second heating scans, was influenced by the composition of the mixture, the nature of the excipient and the thermal history. In particular, DSC on mixtures with cross-linked poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose with drug contents below 65 and75%, respectively, evidenced the presence only of amorphous paracetamol after the cooling phase. Microcrystalline cellulose was very effective in directing the recrystallization of molten paracetamol as Form II. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Thermal decomposition of liebigite

Summary A combination of high resolution thermogravimetric analysis coupled to a gas evolution mass spectrometer has been used to study the thermal decomposition of liebigite. Water is lost in two steps at 44 and 302°C. Two mass loss steps are observed for carbon dioxide evolution at 456 and 686°C. The product of the thermal decomposition was found to be a mixture of CaUO₄ and Ca₃UO₆. The thermal decomposition of liebigite was followed by hot-stage Raman spectroscopy. Two Raman bands are observed in the 50°C spectrum at 3504 and 3318 cm^-1 and shift to higher wavenumbers upon thermal treatment; no intensity remains in the bands above 300°C. Three bands assigned to the υ₁ symmetric stretching modes of the (CO₃)^2- units are observed at 1094, 1087 and 1075 cm^-1 in agreement with three structurally distinct (CO₃)^2- units. At 100°C, two bands are found at 1089 and 1078 cm^-1. Thermogravimetric analysis is undertaken as dynamic experiment with a constant heating rate whereas the hot-stage Raman spectroscopic experiment occurs as a staged experiment. Hot stage Raman spectroscopy supports the changes in molecular structure of liebigite during the proposed stages of thermal decomposition as observed in the TG-MS experiment.