Yohann Cartigny

Impact of molecular flexibility on double polymorphism, solid solutions and chiral discrimination during crystallization of diprophylline enantiomers.

The polymorphic behavior of racemic and enantiopure diprophylline (DPL), a chiral derivative of theophylline marketed as a racemic solid, has been investigated by combining differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, hot-stage microscopy and single-crystal X-ray experiments. The pure enantiomers were obtained by a chemical synthesis route, and additionally an enantioselective crystallization procedure was developed. The binary phase diagram between the DPL enantiomers was constructed and revealed a double polymorphism (i.e., polymorphism both of the racemic mixture and of the pure enantiomer). The study of the various equilibria in this highly unusual phase diagram revealed a complex situation since mixtures of DPL enantiomers can crystallize either as a stable racemic compound, a metastable conglomerate, or two distinct metastable solid solutions. Crystal structure analysis revealed that the DPL molecules adopt different conformations in the crystal forms suggesting that the conformational degrees of freedom of the substituent that carries the only two H-bond donor groups might be related to the versatile crystallization behavior of DPL. The control of these equilibria and the use of a suitable solvent allowed the design of an efficient protocol for the preparative resolution of racemic DPL via preferential crystallization. Therefore, the resolution of DPL enantiomers despite the existence of a racemic compound stable at any temperature demonstrates that the detection of a stable conglomerate is not mandatory for the implementation of preferential crystallization.

Structural Aspects of Solid Solutions of Enantiomers

A mixture of two enantiomers can crystallize according to three types of heterogeneous equilibria: a racemic compound (a 1:1 stoichiometric compound), a conglomerate (a physical mixture of particles with opposite chirality) or, more rarely, as a solid solution (a crystalline architecture exhibiting a lack of chiral discrimination with respect to the two enantiomers). Due to the scarce occurrence of solid solutions, only a few examples of such behavior are known, and even fewer systems have been investigated by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction. Yet, preliminary work performed in the 1970s by several research teams revealed that structural investigations of solid solutions could provide valuable insights into chiral discrimination mechanisms at the crystal lattice scale. In the present paper, our aim is to review published cases of enantiomeric solid solutions for which both melting phase diagrams and crystal structures are available in order to analyze the lack of chiral discrimination associated to these phases. Our methodology consists in considering both the molecular and crystallographic aspects of stereoselectivity with the final aim of identifying structural criteria responsible for the occurrence of solid solutions. The experimental conditions allowing access to solid solutions will also be considered in light of these structural criteria.

Prenucleation self-assembly and chiral discrimination mechanisms during solution crystallisation of racemic diprophylline

The crystallisation behaviour of (RS)-diprophylline (DPL) in two different solvents is investigated to assess the incidence of solvated pre-associations on nucleation, crystal growth and chiral discrimination. In the solvated state, Raman spectroscopy shows that dimeric associations similar to those depicted in the crystalline solid solution (ssRII) predominate in isopropanol (IPA), which may account for the systematic spontaneous nucleation of this crystal form from this solvent. By contrast, spontaneous nucleation in DMF yields the stable racemic compound RI, consistently with the distinct features of the Raman spectrum collected in this solvent. A crystal growth study of ssRII in IPA reveals that the crystal habitus is impacted by the solution enantiomeric excess; this is explained by increased competition between homo- and heterochiral pre-associations. This is supported by a molecular modelling study on the enantiomeric selectivity of the DPL crystal lattices. The combination of assessment methods on solution chemistry, nucleation and chiral discrimination provides methodological tools from which the occurrence of solid solutions can be rationalised.

Combining zone melting and preparative chromatography to purify Phenanthrene

The impacts of zone melting and preparative chromatography on Phenanthrene purity were established by GC and DSC experiments. On the one hand, phase diagrams investigations between Phenanthrene and its major impurities (Dibenzothiophene, Fluorene, Carbazole, and Anthracene) have revealed inadequate heterogeneous equilibria for an efficient purification by zone melting, especially for Fluorene. Nevertheless, a clear purification effect has been noticed by applying this thermal process. On the other hand, preparative chromatography has shown a propensity to separate Phenanthrene from Fluorene. This uncommon case demonstrates the advantages of combining purification techniques to reach a sufficient purity level. Moreover, this study highlights the limitations of analytical tools to quantify such high level of purity.

Thermodynamic assessment on the Pb–Ca–Sn ternary system

Abstract Thermodynamic modelling of the Pb–Ca–Sn ternary system was carried out with the help of the CALculation of PHase Diagrams (CALPHAD) method.The binary borders related to the ternary system were investigated. The lead–tin system is already calculated, the calcium–tin and calcium–lead systems can be described with the association model in binary liquid. The establishment of the modelling of the Pb–Ca–Sn phase diagram was done after collecting own experimental information. The introduction of new interaction parameters related to the ternary liquid, leads to an accurate restoration of the experimental data.Calculated isothermal, isoplethal sections and liquidus surfaces are presented. They confirm that the calcium solubility in lead matrix drastically decreases with the introduction of tin as well as with the decreasing of temperature. The industrial process applied to the lead–calcium–tin alloys finds some justifications in the calculated phase diagram.

Retention modeling and retention time prediction in gas chromatography and flow-modulation comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography: The contribution of pressure on solute partition ☆

This study aims at modelling and predicting solute retention in capillary Gas Chromatography (GC) and Flow Modulation comprehensive GC (FM-GCxGC). A new thermodynamic model, taking into account the effects of temperature and pressure, is proposed to describe the variation of the equilibrium partition constant of a solute during its elution. This retention model was challenged with the classical one, and both were applied to: (i) stationary phase film thickness indirect estimation; (ii) retention time (RT) prediction of a set of 11 model polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the SLB-IL60 and DB-35MS columns, in temperature-programmed mode. Film thickness determination led to values about 2 times lower than those indicated by column nominal dimensions, whatever the employed model. Prediction of retention times in GC led to 0.84 and 0.26% mean errors using the classical and the extended models, respectively. Prediction in GCxGC gave 5.5 and 0.44% mean errors in 1st dimension RTs, and 7.3 and 2.2% mean errors in 2nd dimension RTs, using the classical and the extended models, respectively.

Solid state stability and solubility of triethylenetetramine dihydrochloride

The API triethylenetetramine dihydrochloride used as an alternative treatment of Wilsons disease is sensitive to water and it exhibits polymorphism. As this may become an issue for the drug formulation, the physical stability has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, high-pressure thermal analysis, dynamic vapor sorption, and X-ray diffraction as a function of temperature. In addition, high-pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry have been used to study the purity and chemical stability of the API. A pressure-temperature phase diagram of the pure compound has been constructed and it can be concluded that form II is monotropic in relation to form I, which is the only stable solid. The solubilities of the different solid forms have been determined with the help of a temperature - composition phase diagram. The API is very soluble, at 20° C about 10% of the saturated solution with respect to the dihydrate consists of API and the solubility of the pure form I is twice as high. Moreover, it has been shown that at 20°C, a relative humidity above 40% induces the formation of the dihydrate and at 70% a saturated solution appears. At higher temperatures, the formation of the dihydrate appears at lower relative humidity values. A clear link has been established between the APIs chemical stability, its physical stability and the relative humidity in the air. Humidity levels above 40% are detrimental to the quality of the API.

Comprehensive determination of the solid state stability of bethanechol chloride active pharmaceutical ingredient using combined analytical tools

The use of an integrative analytical approach allowed us to establish the intrinsic solid state stability of bethanechol chloride (BC), an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the treatment of urinary retention. First, the crystal structure of the monoclinic form has been described using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Second, thermal analyses revealed that the compound degrades upon melting, with an apparent melting temperature estimated to be 231 °C. No transition from the monoclinic to the orthorhombic form has been observed, suggesting that the monoclinic form is the stable one. Third, the two-step melting–decomposition process has been elucidated by liquid chromatography and thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry. The first step corresponds to the sample liquefaction, which consists of the gradual dissolution of bethanechol chloride in its liquid degradant, i.e. betamethylcholine chloride. This step is in agreement with Bawn kinetics and the activation energy of the reaction has been estimated at 35.5 kcal mol−1. The second step occurs with accelerated degradation in the melt. Elucidation of secondary decomposition pathways evidenced autocatalytic properties conferred by the formation of both isocyanic acid and methyl chloride. Finally, dynamic water vapor sorption analysis showed a substantial hygroscopicity of the drug substance. A deliquescent point has been determined at 56% relative humidity at 25 °C.

Impact of sodium chloride on the expansion of a liquid-liquid miscibility gap in an API/water system. Case study of Brivaracetam

Brivaracetam, or (2S)-2-[(4R)-2-oxo-4-propyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl] butanamide, is an active pharmaceutical ingredient designed for the treatment of epilepsy. During the development of the IV administration mode, a liquid-liquid miscibility gap has been observed with pure water, isotonic and hypertonic solutions (vehicle at 0.9% w/w and 5%w/w NaCl respectively). The study reveals that the NaCl concentration has a direct impact on the extent of the demixing domain; from a sub-micronic demixing in pure water towards a macroscopic miscibility gap in hypertonic aqueous solutions. The thorough exploration of these heterogeneous equilibria led to define experimental parameters for safe IV injections without risk of liquid - liquid miscibility gap at 37°C.

Special Chapter Advanced Thermal Science in France

This compilation is based on the peer-reviewed and selected papers of JEEP-2012 Prof. Gerard Coquerel Laboratoire de Sciences et Méthodes Séparatives Unité de Cristallogenèse Université de Rouen 76821 Mont Saint Aignan France gerard.coquerel@univ-rouen.fr Dr. Yohann Cartigny Laboratoire de Sciences et Méthodes Séparatives Unité de Cristallogenèse Université de Rouen 76821 Mont Saint Aignan France yohann.cartigny@univ-rouen.fr