Effect of seed crystals on solid-state transformation of polymorphs of chloramphenicol palmitate during grinding

The polymorphic transformations of chloramphenicol palmitate, (2R, 3R)-2-(2,2-dichloroacetamido)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl) propyl palmitate (1), during grinding in an agate centrifugal ball mill at 200 rpm, and the effect of seed crystals on the transformation were studied by means of X-ray diffraction analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The transformation was analyzed using the kinetic method based on nine kinetic model equations. Form B of 1 was transformed to form A (the therapeutically least active form) during grinding for more than 150 min, but in the presence of 1% of form A as seed crystals, form B was transformed to form A during grinding for 40 min. The transformations of form B during grinding in the absence and in the presence of seed crystals were fitted to the two-dimensional nuclear growth equation (Avrami equation). Form C was transformed to form B during grinding for 16 min (and then to form A when grinding was continued for a total of 160 min). The transformation of form C to form B during grinding was accelerated by the presence of 1% of form B, while the subsequent transformation to form A was unaffected, as expected. On the other hand, in the presence of 1% of form A, both the transformation of form C to form B and the subsequent transformation to form A were completed within a grinding time of only 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in the Solid State of Nicergoline,a Poorly Soluble Drug,Under Different Grinding and Environmental Conditions: Effect on Polymorphism and Dissolution

Nicergoline native crystals (Form I) were subjected to different grinding methods for 15, 30, 45, and 60 min: Method A, grinding at 20°C under air atmosphere; Method B, grinding in presence of liquid nitrogen under air atmosphere; Method C, grinding at 20°C under nitrogen atmosphere; and Method D, grinding in presence of liquid nitrogen under nitrogen atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry, thermogravimetry, and infrared spectroscopy were used to follow changes in the particle size and in crystalline structures. Batches from Methods A and C underwent partial amorphization immediately after grinding; Form II was obtained by heating these partially amorphous forms or after spontaneous crystallization after 1 and 5 months storage. Method B promoted the hydration of nicergoline to a monohydrate form. Batch D was stable under grinding and neither amorphization nor hydration were observed. The best intrinsic dissolution rate was that of metastable Form II, followed by Form I, while the worst was that of the Method B monohydrate form. The slowest particle dissolution was observed for hydrated particles, because of the lowest IDR, while the most rapid was exhibited by batch D, because of the very small particle size.     

Physical characterization of solid iopanoic acid forms.

Three solid forms of iopanoic acid were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, thermal microscopy, IR spectroscopy, and dissolution studies. X-ray analysis demonstrated that two solid forms were crystalline and that the third was amorphous. The amorphous form had been reported previously as crystalline. Enthalpies and entropies of transition were calculated using differential scanning calorimetry. A fourth form, a benzene solvate, also was isolated but proved to be too unstable at room temperature to permit conclusive characterization. The amorphous form demonstrated a 10-fold greater intrinsic dissolution rate than the commercially available form (Form I). Form II's intrinsic dissolution rate was 1.5 times greater than that of Form I. In powder dissolution studies, the peak solubilities of the different forms followed the same rank order as their intrinsic dissolution rates. Form II was relatively stable in aqueous saturated solutions, but the amorphous form was rapidly converted to Form I under similar conditions.     

Phase transformation in conformational polymorphs of nimesulide

Nimesulide is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a COX-2 inhibitor. The native crystal structure of nimesulide (or Form I) has been characterized in the literature by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) lines, whereas full three-dimensional coordinates are known for a second polymorph (Form II). A detailed structural characterization and phase stability of nimesulide polymorphs were carried out. Rod-like crystals of Form I (space group Pca2(1); number of symmetry-independent molecules, Z' = 2) were crystallized from EtOH concomitantly with Form II (C2/c, Z' = 1). These conformational polymorphs have different torsion angles at the phenoxy and sulfonamide groups. The crystal structures are stabilized by N-H · · · O hydrogen bonds and C-H · · · O, C-H · · · π interactions. Phase transition from the metastable Form (II) to the stable modification (I) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry, hot-stage microscopy, solid-state grinding, solvent-drop grinding, and slurry crystallization. The phase transition was monitored by infrared, Raman, and ss-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and XRPD and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The stable polymorph I was obtained in excess during solution crystallization, grinding, and slurry methods. Intrinsic dissolution and equilibrium solubility experiments showed that the metastable Form II dissolves much faster than the stable Form I.     

Variable-temperature X-ray powder diffraction analysis of the crystal transformation of the pharmaceutically preferred polymorph C of mebendazole

Mebendazole is a common benzimidazole anthelmintic that is water insoluble. It is reported to exist in three different polymorphic forms in the solid state, i.e. polymorph A, B and C. Form C is the pharmaceutically preferred form because of its increased aqueous solubility. This paper deals with the use of variable-temperature X-ray powder analysis (VTXRPD) to study the transformation of Form C. Results showed that Form C was stable and transformed to the more stable polymorph A at high temperature (>180 degrees C). This transformation is a first-order process with activation energy of 238 +/- 16 kJ/mole. Further studies showed that compression did not cause any significant changes in the crystal structure of polymorph C.     

Structural characterization, physicochemical properties, and thermal stability of three crystal forms of nifedipine

In this study the single-crystal X-ray structure of the solvated species (nifedipine)2. 1,4-dioxane is reported for the first time. Included solvent molecules are located in isolated cavities in the crystal, yielding a very stable solvate. Desolvation of this species involves complete disruption of the crystal structure at the relatively high temperature of 150-153 degrees C, i.e., 50 degrees above the boiling point of 1,4-dioxane, and yields a monoclinic polymorph (Modification I) with a melting point of 174 degrees C. When exposed to an aqueous medium for 48 h, the solvate transformed into a dihydrate. The aqueous solubilities of the above species were in the order: 1,4-dioxane solvate >or= Modification I > dihydrate. The solubility of nifedipine was increased sixfold when transformed into an amorphous form by quenched fusion. This amorphous form was relatively stable at room temperature but converted to Modification I when suspended in water at pH 1. The fused materials also converted to Modification I through an intermediate, Modification III, within 6 days when kept at 40 degrees C for 6 days. XRPD analysis showed that grinding increased the crystallinity of the amorphous form due to partial transformation to Modification I. The pulverized amorphous powder was more stable at 40 degrees C and was approximately three times as soluble as Modification I.     

Solid state of a new PDE-5 inhibitor DA-8159: Characterization, dissolution, transformation

The polymorphic forms of a new PDE-5 inhibitor DA-8159 were prepared and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffractometry (PXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Two crystal forms and one amorphous form of DA-8159 have been isolated by recrystallization and characterized by DSC, TG and PXRD. From the TG data it was confirmed that two crystal forms are neither solvates nor hydrates. The PXRD patterns of the two crystal forms were different. In the dissolution studies in simulated intestinal fluid at 37 ± 0.5°C, the solubility decreased in the order of amorphous form > Form 1 > Form 2. After storage of 60 days, Form 1 was transformed to Form 2. Form 2 was not transformed. The amorphous form was transformed to Form 2 at 52% R.H. and 95% R.H., but it did not transform at 0% R.H.     

Varenicline L-tartrate Crystal Forms: Characterization Through Crystallography,Spectroscopy, and Thermodynamics

This research utilized crystallographic, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis data to assess the thermodynamic stability relationship between the three known crystal forms of Varenicline L-tartrate. Of the two anhydrous forms (Forms A and B), Form B was determined to be the stable form at 0 K based on its calculated true density, hydrogen bonding in the crystal lattice, and application of the IR rule. Form A has a higher melting point and higher solubility at room temperature as compared to Form B, indicating that these forms are enantiotropically related. Application of the eutectic-melting method enabled accurate determination of the transition temperature (63 °C), with Form B as the stable anhydrous form at room temperature. The stability relationships between the anhydrous polymorphs and the monohydrate (Form C) were assessed through exposure of the anhydrous forms to a range of water vapor pressures at room temperature. A phase boundary was identified, with the monohydrate being the thermodynamically stable form above critical water activity values of 0.85 and 0.94 for Forms A and B, respectively. These results provide a better understanding of the form stability as it relates to normal manufacturing and storage conditions for the active pharmaceutical ingredient and drug product.     

Amorphism and physicochemical stability of spray-dried frusemide.

The physicochemical properties of amorphous forms of frusemide, prepared by spray-drying at 50 or 150 degrees C, and their hygroscopic stability at temperatures of 25 and 40 degrees C, and at 0 and 75% relative humidity were investigated. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous form A was 44.2 degrees C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry, while that of the amorphous form B was 54.4 degrees C. The activation energies for glass transition and crystallization processes were calculated from the differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of amorphous forms A and B, respectively. Stability determined by X-ray diffraction at 0% relative humidity, 25 and 40 degrees C suggested that form B was more stable than form A. However, the stability of form A at 75% relative humidity and 25 and 40 degrees C was similar to that of form B.     

Effect of milling conditions on the solid-state conversion of ranitidine hydrochloride form 1

Powder samples of ranitidine hydrochloride forms 1 and 2 were milled using a vibrational ball mill (Retsch MM301) for periods up to 240min at 4, 12 and 35 degrees C. X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to monitor solid-state properties of the milled samples. Milling of form 1 at 4 degrees C led to a powder temperature of 36 degrees C in the milling chamber and produced only amorphous drug; at 12 degrees C (powder temperature 45 degrees C) and at 35 degrees C (powder temperature 62 degrees C) progressive transformation of form 1 via amorphous drug to form 2 occurred. DSC of the milled samples showed a glass transition at 13-30 degrees C and a crystallization exotherm (T(c)) between 30 and 65 degrees C if the sample contained amorphous drug. The behaviour of the solid was speculated to be influenced by the relationship between powder temperature and T(c); at powder temperatures below T(c), amorphous drug is formed but no crystallization of form 2 occurs; at temperatures close to T(c), amorphous content initially increases with transformation to form 2 on continued milling. At temperatures much higher than T(c), at intermediate stages, less amorphous drug but both form 1 and form 2 are recovered, but continued milling gives only form 2. Form 2 did not transform to form 1 under any conditions used in this study.     

X-ray crystallographic characterization of two polymorphs of 8-(2-methoxycarbonylamino-6-methylbenzyloxy)-2-methyl-3-(2- propynyl)-imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine

Structural characterization of two polymorphs (Forms A and B) of 8-(2-methoxycarbonylamino-6-methylbenzyloxy)-2-methyl-3-(2-p ropynyl)-imidazo [1,2-a]pyridine (1) was accomplished by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Form A crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a = 42.936 (14), b = 4.356 (1), c = 21.536 (6) A, beta = 109.92 (4) degrees, z = 8, and dcal = 1.275 g/cm3. Form B crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 4.367 (1), b = 38.214 (3), c = 11.253 (1) A, beta = 95.47 (2) degrees, z = 4, and dcal = 1.292 g/cm3. Some subtle conformational differences between the polymorphs were observed. Although the Form B crystal has a somewhat more compactly packed structure than Form A, this compactness is thought to be disadvantageous to conformational features and to the crystal structure of Form B. The intramolecular hydrogen bonding force between N(1) and NH(22) atoms of Form B is weaker than that of Form A, and the stacking force between the imidazopyridine rings of Form B may also be weaker than that of Form A. Thus, Form A is considered to be a more stable structure than Form B. In DSC analysis, Form B transformed to Form A. Based on these results, phase transformation from Form B to A occurs during a transient fluid state.     

Conformational polymorphism on imatinib mesylate: grinding effects

Crystal structures of polymorphs α and β of imatinib mesylate were obtained. Thermal behavior and grinding effects were studied by X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Molecules in forms α and β exhibit significant conformational differences due to dissimilar intramolecular interactions, which stabilize their molecular conformations. In spite of that, both crystal structures present a dimer-chain arrangement. Dimers are mainly determined by hydrogen bonding interactions and some weak π-π interactions. Connections between dimers are provided by mesylate ions to determine chains of dimers. Neighboring chains are linked by very weak interactions: C-H···π interactions in form α and π-π interactions in form β. At room temperature, thermal disorder was observed in the mesylate ion in form α, which could be removed at low temperatures (-123°C). Form β was found to be the more stable form at room temperature. Both polymorphs exhibit a tendency to generate amorphous material by grinding, which can be converted to a crystalline phase by either temperature or aging. When amorphous crystallization is kinetically studied at room temperature, form β is obtained after a week. Conversely, when the crystallization is activated by temperature, the final obtained crystal form depends on the starting material, proving the importance of seeding.     

Polymorph transitions of bicalutamide: a remarkable example of mechanical activation

Bicalutamide, an active pharmaceutical ingredient possessing antiandrogenic activity, is known to exhibit polymorphism. The higher melting Form I relates monotropically to the lower melting Form II. The amorphous form can be easily produced by quench cooling the melt, but it is known to crystallize spontaneously to Form II at room temperature within days. Our results show that crystallization of amorphous bicalutamide is greatly influenced by experimental conditions and sample treatment. The effect of mechanical activation on the polymorph transitions is investigated in detail. Seeds of Form I can be formed in the amorphous phase even due to gentle mechanical treatment, which results in crystallization to the more stable structure at elevated temperature. The crystalline Form II may as well be transformed to the stable modification through mechanical activation at elevated temperature.     

Physicochemical Stability of Phenobarbital Polymorphs at Various Levels of Humidity and Temperature

The physicochemical stability of six phenobarbital modifications [forms A, B, C (monohydrate), D (dioxane solvate), E (hemihydrate), and F] at various levels of humidity and temperature were measured using X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. Form D was identified as a new crystalline form (dioxane solvate). Polymorphic transformations of the modifications were investigated by the Kissinger method under nonisothermal conditions. Change of polymorphic content of phenobarbital modifications under various humidity levels at 45°C was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction. The polymorphic stability under isothermal conditions was estimated kinetically, based upon the Jander equation. Forms A, B, and F were stable at 0 and 75% RH and 45°C for 3 months. On the contrary, forms C, D, and E transformed during storage. The transformation rates of form D were larger than that of forms C and E.     

Cryogenic grinding of indomethacin polymorphs and solvates: assessment of amorphous phase formation and amorphous phase physical stability

The effect of cryogenic grinding on five crystal forms of indomethacin (IMC) was investigated with particular interest in the formation of amorphous phase. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated that amorphous phase formation took place for all three polymorphs (gamma, alpha, and delta) and one solvate (IMC methanolate). In the latter case, a postgrinding drying stage was needed to remove desolvated methanol from the ground amorphous product because methanol destabilized amorphous IMC presumably via a plasticizing effect. The crystal structure of another solvate, IMC t-butanolate, was unaffected by grinding, indicating that amorphous phase formation on grinding does not occur in all cases. Ground amorphous materials possessed similar glass transition temperatures but significant differences in physical stability as assessed by both isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization. It is argued that physical factors, namely residual crystal phase and specific surface area, determine the isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of ground amorphous samples as opposed to intrinsic differences in the structure of the amorphous phase.     

Characterization of four crystal polymorphs and a monohydrate of s-bupivacaine hydrochloride (levobupivacaine hydrochloride)

Five crystal forms of the amide-type local anesthetic S-bupivacaine hydrochloride (levobupivacaine) were prepared and characterized by means of thermal analytical methods, FTIR- and Raman-spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffractometry, and moisture sorption analysis. Commercial lots of the substance may consist of form A degrees , the thermodynamically stable form at 20 degrees C, and/or the metastable form C. Form A degrees shows a highly reversible transformation into form B (T(trs): 85.3 degrees C) with a transition enthalpy of 4.6 kJ mol(-1). The hysteresis between the experimental transition temperatures is 3.5 K, indicating a very weak kinetic control. The hydrate shows a variable water content (0.71-1.14 mol/mol) between 10% and 90% relative humidity (RH) and dehydrates to form C under dry conditions or at elevated temperatures. All anhydrous forms transform to the hydrate at and above 90% RH (25 degrees C). Form C slowly converts to form A degrees on storage and is the polymorph with the highest hygroscopicity. At higher temperatures all forms transform into form D, which is kinetically stable at 20 degrees C. It is concluded that the forms A degrees , B, and D are enantiotropically related, whereas form C shows a monotropic relationship to these forms and is metastable in the entire temperature range.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic characterization of polymorphic transformation of famotidine during grinding

Two polymorphs of famotidine were prepared by recrystallization from acetonitrile for form A and methanol for form B, respectively. The effect of grinding process on the polymorphic transformation of famotidine was investigated. Each famotidine sample ground for various grinding times in a ceramic mortar was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), conventional and thermal Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) microspectroscopy. The results indicate that the raw material of famotidine was proved to be a form B. A unique IR absorption band at 3505 cm(-1) for famotidine form B gradually decreased its intensity with the grinding time, while two newer IR absorption bands at 3451 and 1671 cm(-1) for famotidine form A slowly appeared. The peak intensity ratio of 3451/350 5 cm(-1) was linearly (r=0.9901) increased with the grinding time, suggesting that the grinding process could induce the polymorphic transformation of famotidine from form B to form A by a zero-order process. The DSC endothermic peaks also confirmed this polymorphic transformation from famotidine form B (167 degrees C, DeltaH: 165J/g) to famotidine form A (174 degrees C, DeltaH: 148J/g) in which the values of enthalpy were linearly reduced with the increase of grinding time (r=0.9943). The phase transition temperature of the different ground famotidine samples could be easily and only evidenced by using thermal FT-IR microspectroscopy, rather than by DSC analysis. These phase transition temperatures of the famotidine form B ground for 5-20 min quickly reduced from 144 to 134 degrees C and maintained a constant at 134 degrees C even after 20-30 min grinding. The grinding process not only decreased the crystallinity of famotidine form B but also reduced the particle size of famotidine form B, resulting in easy induction of the polymorphic transformation of famotidine from form B to form A in ground famotidine sample.     

Characterization, selection, and development of an orally dosed drug polymorph from an enantiotropically related system

Solid-state characterization methods are used to study a dimorphic pharmaceutical compound and select a form for development. Polymorph screening found that [4-(4-chloro-3-fluorophenyl)-2-[4-(methyloxy)phenyl]-1,3-thiazol-5-yl] acetic acid can crystallize into two non-solvated polymorphs designated Forms 1 and 2. Physical methods including vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, solid-state NMR (SSNMR), thermal analysis, and gravimetric water vapor sorption are used to fully characterize the two polymorphs. Temperature-dependent competitive ripening experiments and solubility measurements indicated that the polymorphs in this system exhibit enantiotropy with a thermodynamic transition temperature of 35+/-3 degrees C. This complicates the selection of a polymorph to progress in drug development. Both forms had undesirable qualities; however, a particular drawback of Form 1 was found in its tendency to convert to Form 2 upon milling. Combining this effect and the desired formulation approach with physical property results led to a rationale for the choice of Form 2 for further development. Because this form is thermodynamically metastable at room temperature, analytical approaches were developed to ensure its exclusive presence, including a quantitative infrared spectroscopic method for drug substance and (13)C and (19)F solid-state NMR limit tests for the undesired form in drug product at drug loads of 8.3% (w/w).     

Quantification of low levels of amorphous content in sucrose by hyperDSC

A method was developed for the quantification of low levels of amorphous content in sucrose with hyperDSC. The method was based on the fact that the change of specific heat at the glass transition is linearly proportional to the amorphous content. It was found out that as annealing time increased, the glass transition temperature moved to a higher temperature and the change of specific heat increased. DeltaC(p) for annealed totally amorphous sucrose was 0.761+/-0.012 Jg(-1) degrees C(-1). Synthetic mixtures with various proportions of crystalline and amorphous sucrose were prepared. The following linear regression between DeltaC(p) and amorphous content was obtained: DeltaC(p)=0.0075x - 0.00484 (R=0.999). The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) values were 0.062 and 0.207%, respectively. The effect of grinding time on the amorphous content of crystalline sucrose was studied and a correlation between grinding time and amorphous content of sucrose was found. It was also found that the amorphous content could only attain a value of about 80-90% by grinding in the way used in this study.