Lucildes P. Mercuri

Thermal analysis of the antiretroviral zidovudine (AZT) and evaluation of the compatibility with excipients used in solid dosage forms.

Modern thermal analysis techniques are frequently used because of their ability to provide detailed information about both the physical and the energetic properties of a substance. In the present work, the thermal decomposition of zidovudine (AZT) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry/derivative thermogravimetry (TG/DTG). Thermal analysis was supplemented using elemental analysis (C, H, and N), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction to characterize the solid intermediates products. Volatile products of the thermal decomposition of AZT were studied by a system composed of the TG/DTA coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The physical-chemical properties and compatibilities of several commonly used pharmaceutical excipients with AZT were evaluated using thermal methods. The results showed that the product originated from the first thermal decomposition stage corresponds to the cleavage followed by elimination of the azide group and consequent formation of thymine. The second event corresponds to thermal decomposition of thymine. TG/DTA-GC/MS system identified thymines decomposition products as furan and 2-furanmethanol like volatile species. Comparison of the thermoanalytical profiles of the mixtures with individual compounds did not give any evidence of interactions.

Determinação dos teores de umidade e cinzas de amostras comerciais de guaraná utilizando métodos convencionais e análise térmica

Paullinia cupana Kunth a vegetable popularly known as guarana, belongs to the Sapindaceas plant family and is predominant in the Amazon region. The low quality of this product can be attributed to the species and less noble varieties, harvest techniques and/or inadequate processing or, yet due to addition of substances that are not included in its natural composition. The main goal of this work was to evaluate from thermogravimetry (TG)/derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the thermal behavior of powdered guarana samples in the Brazilian market in order to evaluate the thermal behavior of guarana powder samples commercialized in Brazil and to establish a comparative study between conventional and TG methods for humidity contents determination and ashes. In general, the samples did not present significant differences in the DSC curves profiles and TG/DTG. The thermogravimetry showed that it is possible to decrease the time of the analysis using less amount of sample and allowed to determine humidity and ashes contents. In relation to conventional method the errors of analysis inherent of the samples manipulation were decreased. The thermoanalytical techniques have shown potential applications in the determination of technological parameters, such as: quality control, toasting and adequate stock conditions.

Kinetic Parameters of Polyethylene Degradation by the Natural Zeolite Chabazite

High-density polyethylene (PE) was subjected to thermal degradation alone and in the presence of an ammonium-exchanged zeolite chabazite (CHA/PE). The processes were carried out in a reactor connected online to a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer in order to analyse the evolved products. Polymer degradation was also evaluated by thermogravimetry, from room temperature up to 800°C, under a dynamic nitrogen atmosphere, with multiple heating rates. From the TG curves, the activation energy relating to the degradation process was calculated by using the Flynn and Wall multiple heating rate kinetic model for pure PE and for CHA/PE. The exchanged chabazite exhibited good selectivity for the catalytic degradation of PE to low molecular mass hydrocarbons.

Thermal Decomposition of Hydrated Lanthanide Picrates by TG/DTG and DSC Analyses

Hydrated lanthanide picrates with a composition of: Ln(pic)3⋅xH2O (Ln=La–Lu, Y) were synthesized and characterized. Thermal decomposition of the picrates by TG/DTG and DSC techniques are reported.