Preparation and characterization of new salts of tioconazole. Comparison of their dissolution performance.

Tioconazole is an effective antifungal agent with very low solubility in aqueous media, which limits its bioavailability and efficacy. Aiming to overcome the drug limitations by improving the solubility of this active pharmaceutical ingredient, solution precipitation techniques were employed to prepare four new crystalline salts, namely the mesylate, tosylate, maleate (1:1), and fumarate (1:1) hemihydrate. The thermal stabilities, dissolution properties, and structural characteristics of the solids were determined, and the study was extended to compare their properties with the already-known oxalate salt. The structural characterization of the new phases was carried out using a multi-method approach, which included thermal (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry), diffractometric (powder X-ray diffraction), and spectroscopic (near-infrared and mid-infrared) methodologies. The determination of the melting point of the salts confirmed the findings made by thermal methods. Functional characteristics of the salts, involving their intrinsic dissolution rates were also determined. It was found that the salts exhibited improved thermal stability and that the nature of the counterion modulated their dissolution characteristics. The salts displayed better intrinsic dissolution rates than the free base, to the point of being "highly soluble" according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. At pH 4.3, the sulfonic acid derivatives exhibited better dissolution rates than their carboxylic acid-derived counterparts, greatly improved regarding bare tioconazole. The results suggest that the salts have great potential to be used as replacements for the free base; in principle, careful salt selection may help to fulfill each solubility need for the different scenarios where the drug may be used.

Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and applications as sensitizers in solar cells of novel heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes containing nitrile-substituted 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands.

Two novel Cu(I) tetradentate heteroleptic complexes, including nitrile-substituted bipyridines that can be anchored to semiconductor surfaces to be assembled in DSSCs, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The crystal structures of both species were determined by X-ray diffraction. Results from DFT and TD-DFT calculations were found to be consistent with the experimental data. Emission at room temperature was observed for both complexes in the solid state, making them promising alternatives for the development of light-emitting diodes. We report for the first time the experimental evidence of photovoltaic conversion devices formed by Cu(I) complexes anchored to a TiO2 surface by means of nitrile groups present in substituted bipyridines, and subsequently tested as sensitizers for DSSCs, obtaining efficiency values for light to electrical energy conversion similar to those previously reported for analogous complexes with anchoring carboxylic groups.

Characterization of the hydrochloride salt hemihydrate as a new salt of the antifungal agent tioconazole.

Tioconazole is an effective antifungal agent, which has a very low solubility in aqueous media, that limits its bioavailability and efficacy. In an effort to overcome the drug limitations by improving its solubility, the hydrochloride salt was prepared in methanolic 1 M HCl and obtained as the hemihydrate, as demonstrated by elemental analysis. Single crystals were grown by slow evaporation from an aqueous 1 M HCl solution and their structure was determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 302 K. The structures resulting from dehydration and further rehydration were also assessed, at 333 and 283 K, respectively. The morphology of the crystal, which exhibited birefringence under polarized light, was verified by hot stage microscopy. The solid was characterized by additional means, including thermal analysis (melting point, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry), spectroscopic methods (mid infrared, near infrared, 1H, 13C and 15N nuclear magnetic resonance in solution, as well as 13C and 15N solid state with spinning at the magic angle) and X-ray diffraction techniques. Functional evaluation tests, including the intrinsic dissolution rate and the dissolution of powders were also performed. In the intrinsic dissolution rate test, the salt proved to dissolve over 2000 times faster than tioconazole. The results suggest that the new salt has physicochemical and performance properties which may support its use as a replacement of the free base in certain applications, especially where improved dissolution rate, solubility or bioavailability of the drug would be desired.

Polyphosphoric Acid Esters Promoted Synthesis of Quinazolin-4(3H)-imines from 2-Aminobenzonitrile.

A novel method for the synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-imines (QIs) by trimethylsilyl polyphosphate (PPSE) promoted reaction of 2-aminobenzonitrile with secondary amides is reported. The reaction is general and allows for the synthesis of N3-aryl and N3-alkyl QIs with variable 2-substituents affording high yields. The procedure was extended to derivatives bearing additional functional groups. The method is operationally simple, involves easily available starting materials and a mild dehydrating agent, with wide functional group tolerance. The reaction procedure proved to be suitable for scaling-up. A possible reaction path via an intermediate nitrilium ion is proposed on the basis of literature data and experimental observations.

Solid-state properties of Nifurtimox. Preparation, analytical characterization, and stability of an amorphous phase.

Nifurtimox (NFX) is a nitrofuran derivative used to treat Chagas disease, a neglected disease caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. The drug is very sparingly soluble in aqueous media and no other solid phases of NFX have been reported to date. The preparation of the amorphous mode of NFX is reported, as well as its characterization by hot stage microscopy, thermal (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis), spectroscopic (solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, mid-infrared, and near-infrared), diffractometric and functional (powder dissolution rate) means. The stability of the new phase was investigated. This was characterized using thermal, spectroscopic, and diffractometric methods, finding out its spontaneous reversion to the crystalline state, as sign of instability. In addition, the amorphous material proved to be sensitive to temperature, pressure, and mechanical stress, all of which accelerated phase conversion. However, it was able to remain stable in a model polymeric amorphous solid dispersion with PEG 4000 for more than one month. An approach for monitoring the conversion of the amorphous phase to its crystalline counterpart under thermal stress by chemometric analysis of mid-infrared spectra at different temperatures is also disclosed.

Form quantitation in desmotropic mixtures of albendazole bulk drug by chemometrics-assisted analysis of vibrational spectra.

Albendazole is a benzimidazole-type active pharmaceutical ingredient, and one of the most effective broad-spectrum anthelminthic agents. The drug has two solid-state forms (ALB I and ALB II) which are desmotropes; both of them seem to be currently marketed. However, using the wrong crystalline solid form for formulation may have an undesired impact on the physicochemical and/or bioavailability properties of the drug product. In order to develop new, simple, and less expensive alternatives toward the determination of the level of albendazole ALB I in its mixtures with ALB II, both desmotropes were prepared, and properly characterized by spectroscopic [solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and near infrared (NIR)] and diffractometric (powder X-ray diffraction) methods. Then, the NIR and attenuated total reflectance-mid infrared (ATR-MIR) spectra of both forms were conveniently pre-treated and employed for the development and optimization of partial least squares (PLS)-potentiated quantification models (NIR/PLS and ATR-MIR/PLS). The latter were also subjected to validation (accuracy, precision, limits of detection and quantification, etc.) and further used to assess the level of the unwanted ALB II form in the bulk drug. The NIR/PLS method displayed the most satisfactory characteristics, including a limit of quantitation interval of 3.6 ± 1 %w/w; it outperformed both, the ATR-MIR/PLS counterpart (limit of quantitation interval of 14.0 ± 3.4 %w/w) and a previously published and more demanding Raman/PLS alternative.

Thermal, spectroscopic and structural analysis of a thermosalient phase transformation in tapentadol hydrochloride.

Presented herein are detailed optical, thermal, spectroscopic and structural analyses of the phase transformation occurring in tapentadol hydrochloride (C14H24NO+·Cl-), a phenomenon already reported [Fischer et al. (2006); Patent: WO 2006000441 A2]. The thermal behaviour of the compound was studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and Raman scattering measurements. The compound undergoes a first-order reversible phase transition at Theat = 318.0 (1) K, Tcool = 300.0 (1) K, as assessed by the coexistence of both phases in the vicinity of the transition and the abrupt changes observed in the unit-cell parameters with temperature. The process is accompanied by clear thermosalient behaviour, with a conspicuous movement of the samples. On cooling, the transformation leads from a P212121 symmetry (Z' = 1) to P21, with an abrupt change in ß [90 ↔ 94.78 (1)°] and duplication of the asymmetric unit contents (Z' = 2). The main structural differences observed across the transition are extremely small, with almost no changes in the stronger, non-covalent interaction scheme involving the `conventional' (N-H...Cl, O-H...Cl) hydrogen bonds.

A New, More Stable Polymorphic Form of Otilonium Bromide: Solubility, Crystal Structure, and Phase Transformation.

A new polymorphic form of otilonium bromide is presented (Form I), and a thorough analysis of its crystal and molecular structure is performed. The compound suffers a temperature-driven first-order phase transition at about 396 K, which transforms it into the polymorph reported by Dapporto P and Sega A (Acta Cryst. 1986;C42:474-478) (Form II). Through thermal analysis and solubility experiments the relative stability of both crystal modifications were determined, confirming that at room temperature this new Form I is the more stable one, Form II existing just in a metastable state.

Synthesis of Enantiomeric Polyhydroxyalkylpyrrolidines from 1,3-Dipolar Cycloadducts. Evaluation as Inhibitors of a ß-Galactofuranosidase.

Enantiomeric 2,3,4-tris(hydroxyalkyl)-5-phenylpyrrolidines have been synthesized from the major cycloadducts obtained by the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of sugar enones with azomethine ylides derived from natural amino acids. Reduction of the ketone carbonyl group of the cycloadducts, which possess a basic structure of bicyclic 6-(menthyloxy)hexahydropyrano[4,3-c]pyrrol-7(6H)one, afforded a number of pyrrolidine-based bicyclic systems. A sequence of reactions, which involved hydrolysis of the menthyloxy substituent, reduction, N-protection, and degradative oxidation, afforded varied pyrrolidine structures having diverse configurations and patterns of substitution; in particular, polyhydroxylated derivatives have been obtained. The unprotected products were isolated as pyrrolidinium trifluoroacetates. Because of the furanose-like nature of the target trihydroxyalkyl pyrrolidines, these molecules have been evaluated as inhibitors of the ß-galactofuranosidase from Penicillium fellutanum. The compounds showed practically no inhibitory activity for concentration of pyrrolidines in the range of 0.1-1.6 mM.

Salts of 5-amino-2-sulfonamide-1,3,4-thiadiazole, a structural and analog of acetazolamide, show interesting carbonic anhydrase inhibitory properties, diuretic, and anticonvulsant action.

Three salts of 5-amino-2-sulfonamide-1,3,4-thiadiazole (Hats) were prepared and characterized by physico-chemical methods. The p-toluensulfonate, the methylsulfonate, and the chlorhydrate monohydrate salts of Hats were evaluated as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors (CAIs) and as anticonvulsants and diuretics, since many CAIs are clinically used as pharmacological agents. The three Hats salts exhibited diuretic and anticonvulsant activities with little neurotoxicity. The human (h) isoforms hCA I, II, IV, VII, IX, and XII were inhibited in their micromolar range by these salts, whereas pathogenic beta and gamma CAs showed similar, weak inhibitory profiles.

Venlafaxine besylate monohydrate.

The title compound {systematic name: [2-(1-hydroxycyclohexyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]dimethylazanium benzene-sulfonate monohydrate}, C17H28NO2 (+)·C6H5O3S(-)·H2O, is a besylate salt hydrate of the anti-depressant drug venlafaxine. In the crystal, besylate anions and water mol-ecules self-assemble, forming hydrogen-bonded dimers linked around inversion centers, with graph set R 4 (4)(6). The crystal packing features a chain of alternate dimers and venlafaxine cations in the b-axis direction with the components linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions. This is the first example of a venlafaxine cation with a closed conformation, as it features an intra-molecular N-H⋯O inter-action involving the protonated N atom.

Aging-driven decomposition in zolpidem hemitartrate hemihydrate and the single-crystal structure of its decomposition products.

The "aging-driven" decomposition of zolpidem hemitartrate hemihydrate (form A) has been followed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and the crystal and molecular structures of the decomposition products studied by single-crystal methods. The process is very similar to the "thermally driven" one, recently described in the literature for form E (Halasz and Dinnebier. 2010. J Pharm Sci 99(2): 871-874), resulting in a two-phase system: the neutral free base (common to both decomposition processes) and, in the present case, a novel zolpidem tartrate monohydrate, unique to the "aging-driven" decomposition. Our room-temperature single-crystal analysis gives for the free base comparable results as the high-temperature XRPD ones already reported by Halasz and Dinnebier: orthorhombic, Pcba, a = 9.6360(10) Å, b = 18.2690(5) Å, c = 18.4980(11) Å, and V = 3256.4(4) Å(3) . The unreported zolpidem tartrate monohydrate instead crystallizes in monoclinic P21 , which, for comparison purposes, we treated in the nonstandard setting P1121 with a = 20.7582(9) Å, b = 15.2331(5) Å, c = 7.2420(2) Å, γ = 90.826(2)°, and V = 2289.73(14) Å(3) . The structure presents two complete moieties in the asymmetric unit (z = 4, z' = 2). The different phases obtained in both decompositions are readily explained, considering the diverse genesis of both processes.

Solid-state forms of zoledronic acid: polymorphism in hydrates.

Solid-state forms of zoledronic acid, a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate used for treatment of bone diseases are studied using different experimental techniques (DSC, TG, and XRD). Two degrees of hydration have been obtained, containing one and three water molecules per zoledronic acid molecule. The crystal structure of the trihydrated form is reported. Two different anhydrated forms have been obtained when the hydrated ones were heated. Besides, during the dehydration process, an amount of metastable amorphous phase appears, as a function of the dehydration rate. The stability of the obtained crystalline forms is examined under high humidity and a different trihydrated form was obtained, setting clear that the same degree of hydration (trihydrated) can be obtained in two different crystalline forms, and then very different thermal behaviors have been observed.

Zoledronate complexes. III. Two zoledronate complexes with alkaline earth metals: [Mg(C(5)H(9)N(2)O(7)P(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Ca(C(5)H(8)N(2)O(7)P(2))(H(2)O)](n).

Diaquabis[dihydrogen 1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonato-kappa(2)O,O']magnesium(II), [Mg(C(5)H(9)N(2)O(7)P(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], consists of isolated dimeric units built up around an inversion centre and tightly interconnected by hydrogen bonding. The Mg(II) cation resides at the symmetry centre, surrounded in a rather regular octahedral geometry by two chelating zwitterionic zoledronate(1-) [or dihydrogen 1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonate] anions and two water molecules, in a pattern already found in a few reported isologues where the anion is bound to transition metals (Co, Zn and Ni). catena-Poly[[aquacalcium(II)]-mu(3)-[hydrogen 1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonato]-kappa(5)O:O,O':O',O''], [Ca(C(5)H(8)N(2)O(7)P(2))(H(2)O)](n), consists instead of a Ca(II) cation in a general position, a zwitterionic zoledronate(2-) anion and a coordinated water molecule. The geometry around the Ca(II) atom, provided by six bisphosphonate O atoms and one water ligand, is that of a pentagonal bipyramid with the Ca(II) atom displaced by 0.19 A out of the equatorial plane. These Ca(II) coordination polyhedra are ;threaded' by the 2(1) axis so that successive polyhedra share edges of their pentagonal basal planes. This results in a strongly coupled rhomboidal Ca(2)-O(2) chain which runs along [010]. These chains are in turn linked by an apical O atom from a -PO(3) group in a neighbouring chain. This O-atom, shared between chains, generates strong covalently bonded planar arrays parallel to (100). Finally, these sheets are linked by hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional structure. Owing to the extreme affinity of zoledronic acid for bone tissue, in general, and with calcium as one of the major constituents of bone, it is expected that this structure will be useful in modelling some of the biologically interesting processes in which the drug takes part.

Zoledronate complexes. II. catena-Poly[[tetraaquabis[hemihydrogen mu3-1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonato-kappa3O:O':O'']bis[mu3-1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonato-kappa4O:O,O':O'']trisodium] dihydrate].

The title compound, {[Na(3)(C(5)H(9)N(2)O(7)P(2))(2)(C(5)H(9.5)N(2)O(7)P(2))(2)(H(2)O)(4)].2H(2)O}(n), (II), is polymeric and consists of undulating chains parallel to [011] interconnected by hydrogen-bonding and pi-pi interactions. There are two independent Na(+) cations in the asymmetric unit (one lying on an inversion centre), two zoledronate anions and three water molecules, two of which are coordinated and one of which is a free solvate. Each cation is surrounded in an octahedral fashion by O atoms from four different zoledronate units and two/one coordinated water molecules. The zoledronate groups present their usual zwitterionic character, with negative charges in the protonated phosphonates and a positive charge at the protonated imidazole N atom. Two symmetry-related phosphonate groups share (in the form of a very strong linear hydrogen bond) an H atom lying on a symmetry centre, midway between the O atoms involved. The zoledronate binding modes present in (II) are both unreported for bisphosphonate anions. Intra- and inter-chain interactions are enhanced by a variety of hydrogen bonds where all the available O-H and N-H donors are involved, in addition to a strong imidazole-phosphonate C-H...O interaction, typical in these kinds of structures.

Zoledronate complexes. I. Poly[[mu2-aqua[mu3-1-hydroxy-2-(1H,3H-imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)ethylidenediphosphonato]potassium(I)] monohydrate].

The title compound, {[K(C(5)H(9)N(2)O(7)P(2))(H(2)O)].H(2)O}(n), is polymeric and consists of layers parallel to (001) interconnected by hydrogen-bonding and pi-pi interactions. The K(+) cation is eightfold coordinated in a KO(8) environment by O atoms from three different chelating zoledronate units and two coordinated water molecules. The zoledronate group presents its usual zwitterionic character, with negative charges in the singly protonated phosphonate groups and a positive charge at the protonated imidazole N atom. The anion binds to three different K(+) cations in a (so far unreported) triply chelating manner. Intra- and interplanar interactions are enhanced by a variety of hydrogen bonds involving all available O-H and N-H donors. A strong imidazole-phosphonate C-H...O interaction is present in the structure.

Tetrameric aggregate of 1,c-3-diphenyltetran-r-1-ol via an R4(4)8 homodromic ring.

The compound 1,c-3-diphenyltetran-r-1-ol (systematic name: 1,c-3-diphenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-r-1-naphthol), C(22)H(20)O, which possesses the tetrahydronaphthalene core that is found in a large number of natural products, crystallizes with Z' = 4 and with the four molecules forming a hydrogen-bonded cyclic aggregate. The aliphatic six-membered rings are present with two different conformations in the molecules of the asymmetric unit. A comparison with similar fragments reveals their conformational flexibility. In addition, the structure demonstrates the relative stereochemistries of the chiral centers, which are important since the title compound is used in the stereoselective synthesis of compounds with therapeutic activity.

Diaqua-bis[1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)-1,1'-ethyl-idenediphophonato-κO,O']zinc(II).

In the title complex, [Zn(C(5)H(9)NO(7)P(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the zinc atom is coordinated by two bidentate zoledronate [zoledronate = (2-(1-imidazole)-1-hydr-oxy-1,1'-ethyl-idenediphophonate)] ligands and two water mol-ecules. The coordination number is 6. There is one half-mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit with the zinc atom located on a crystallographic inversion centre. The anion exists as a zwitterion with an overall charge of -1; the protonated nitro-gen in the ring has a positive charge and the two phospho-nates groups each have a single negative charge. There are two intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The mol-ecules are linked into a chain by inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. Adjacent chains are further linked by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the aqua ligands. An N-H⋯O inter-action is also observed.

Aquabis[1-hydroxy-2-(imidazol-3-ium-1-yl)-1,1'-ethylidenediphophonato-κO,O']zinc(II) dihydrate.

In the title complex, [Zn(C(5)H(9)NO(7)P(2))(2)(H(2)O)]·2H(2)O, the zinc atom is coordinated by two zoledronate anions [zoledronate = (2-(1-imidazole)-1-hydr-oxy-1,1'-ethyl-idenediphophonate)] and one water mol-ecule. The coordination number is 5. There is one half-mol-ecule in the asymmetric unit, the zinc atom being located on a twofold rotation axis passing through the metal centre and the coordinating water O atom. The anion exists as a zwitterion with an overall charge of -1; the protonated nitro-gen in the ring has a positive charge and the two phospho-nates groups each have a single negative charge. Inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules. An N-H⋯O inter-action is also present.

Conformational polymorphism in bicalutamide.

Two crystalline forms (forms I and II) and an amorphous phase of bicalutamide were fully characterized through combined results of differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder and single crystal diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Each polymorph crystallizes with one molecule in the asymmetric unit and the molecular conformations are quite different between them. The main difference is provided by C12-C11-S8-C5 torsion angle, which assumes a value of -88.3(4) degrees (-Syn-Clinal) and 72.5(4) degrees (+Syn-Clinal) in forms I and II, respectively. Consequently, molecules in form I show an open folding and molecules in form II a closed one. The relative stability between forms I and II is presented in an energy versus temperature diagram, where forms I and II are considered as a monotropic system, being form I the more stable one. The amorphous phase was observed very metastable and it converts to form II spontaneously at RT in around a week.