Fast-cycle trace analysis of dioxin in flue gas. Monitoring of the incineration of dioxin-containing waste from seveso

The fast trace analysis method used to monitor 2,3,7,8-TCDD in stack gas during the incineration of the waste from Seveso is described. The sampling of volatile organic compounds from flue gases, distributed between all three aggregation states, is based on a micromethod developed for the trace analysis of water using a specially dimensioned adsorptive charcoal filter (1.5 mg charcoal). In conjunction with subsequent GC/MS measurements the rapid “fast cycle trace analysis” ensured specific 2,3,7,8-TCDD detection down to 100 pg per m³ flue gas in cycle times of about 1–2 hours.     

In Situ Characterization of Polymorphic Forms: The Potential of Raman Techniques

The use of hot-stage Raman microscopy — the direct coupling of Raman spectroscopy and thermomicroscopy — is demonstrated for the drug substances paracetamol and lufenuron.Paracetamol is a well-known analgesic and antipyretic drug, for which three polymorphic forms are currently known. Lufenuron is a benzoylphenyl urea derivative that has been classified as a chitin synthesis inhibitor. It is indicated for the use in pets for the prevention and control of flea population and used in crop protection for the control of Lepidoptera, Western Flower thrips and rust mites. It is the first time that the polymorphism of lufenuron is addressed. All known modifications of paracetamol and lufenuron were produced and identified by hot-stage Raman microscopy. A close correlation of thermal and spectroscopic information was achieved by this combination of techniques.For lufenuron a series of new polymorphic forms were found and characterized. Raman spectroscopy allowed to identify the thermodynamic stable form A as the one which is marketed in tablets.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Vapor Pressure and Heat of Sublimation of Crystal Polymorphs

In order to determine the applicability of vapor pressure studies on polymorphic modifications, pairs of enantiotropically related modifications of caffeine, theophylline and carbamazepine were investigated. The studies were performed over a wide temperature range (71 to 191°C) and accordingly over a wide vapor pressure range (0.02 to 400 Pa) using an automatic instrument constructed on the basis of the gas saturation principle. This instrument enables an analytical determination of the main component and the impurities present by the chromatographic separation of the substances transported in the gas flow. Therefore, the real partial pressure of the main component can be measured. Due to the high precision of the applied method it was possible to determine partial pressure curves and the thermodynamic transition temperature — the point at which the vapor pressure of two crystal polymorphs is equal. The thermodynamic transition temperatures of caffeine and theophylline were determined to be 136 and 232°C, respectively. These values are in agreement with experimental or calculated values derived from DSC investigations but are more reliable. Vapor pressure measurements of carbamazepine are only meaningful in the low temperature range due to its decomposition at high temperatures. The thermodynamics, advantages and limits of vapor pressure determinations of polymorphic modifications are discussed.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Polymorphism - integrated approach from high-throughput screening to crystallization optimization

Crystal structure (polymorphism) as well as crystal shape (morphology) and size have a huge practical and commercial impact on active substances all the way from research to manufacture of the final product. For an optimal development process, it is important to have an integrated approach to these issues ranging from a systematic polymorphism screening to a controlled scale-up of the crystallization process. The polymorphism program has to be tailored according to the development stage. Particularly suitable for an early development stage is a high-throughput polymorphism screening, which is the basis for a more thorough investigation if the product proceeds further in development. Such a comprehensive polymorphism investigation involves further crystallization experiments and extensive physicochemical characterization of the various forms. In this article the high-throughput polymorphism screening method that we have developed is described. Using carbamazepine as an example, the power of this high-throughput polymorphism screening system is demonstrated. Not only were all published forms found, but also new forms were identified. In the second part of the article, important considerations for crystallization optimization are discussed, again using the example of carbamazepine. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.