Vibrational,optical and microhardness studies of trimethoprim DL ‐malate

Trimethoprim malate, an organic crystal, has been synthesized using slow evaporation method from its aqueous solution. Structural, optical and the mechanical properties of the grown crystal have been investigated by various characterization techniques which include FTIR spectra, single crystal XRD, UV‐Vis spectra and Vickers microhardness testing. The structure of the compound predicted by analysing the recorded FTIR spectrum compliments the structure determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction study reveals that the crystals are monoclinic P2₁/c, a=12.9850 Å, b=9.3038 Å, c=15.6815 Å and β=111.065°]. The UV‐Vis spectrum exhibits maximum transparency (98%) for a wide range suggesting the suitability of the title compound for optical applications. The optical constants have been calculated and illustrated graphically. Microhardness tests have been performed on the cystal under study and the Vicker hardness number has been calculated. The work hardening coefficient is found to be 2.85 which suggest that the crystal belongs to the family of soft materials. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)