Production of Biomass-Derived p-Hydroxybenzamide: Synthesis of p-Aminophenol and Paracetamol.

As we work to transition the modern society that is based on non-renewable chemical feedstocks to a post-modern society built around renewable sources of energy, fuels, and chemicals, there is a need to identify the renewable resources and processes for converting them to platform chemicals. Herein, we explore a strategy for utilizing the p-hydroxybenzoate in biomass feedstocks (e. g., poplar and palm trees) and converting it into a portfolio of commodity chemicals. The targeted bio-derived product in the first processing stage is p-hydroxybenzamide produced from p-hydroxybenzoate esters found in the plant. In the second stage a continuous reaction process converts the p-hydroxybenzamide to p-aminophenol via the Hofmann rearrangement and recovers the unreacted p-hydroxybenzamide. In the third stage the p-aminophenol can be acetylated to form paracetamol, which is readily isolated by liquid/liquid extraction at >95 % purity and an overall p-hydroxybenzamide-to-paracetamol process yield of ~90 %. We explore how utilization of protecting groups alters the challenges in this process and expands the portfolio of possible products to include p-(methoxymethoxy)aniline and N-acetyl-p-(methoxymethoxy)aniline. These target compounds could become value-added renewably-sourced platform chemicals that could be used to produce biodegradable plastics, pigments, and pharmaceuticals.

Evaluation of Aloe elegans Mucilage as a Suspending Agent in Paracetamol Suspension.

BACKGROUND: There are various natural excipients which have been used as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspensions due to the presence of mucilage in their specialized cells and their capacity to form a colloidal gel in an aqueous medium. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the suspending capacity of Aloe elegans mucilage in suspension formulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aloe elegans mucilage (AEM) was evaluated as a suspending agent in comparison with xanthan gum (XG) in paracetamol suspensions at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% (w/v) concentrations. The resulting suspensions were evaluated for their sedimentation volume, apparent viscosity, flow rate, rate of redispersibility, pH, assay, and dissolution profile. RESULTS: The volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility rate of the formulations were significantly increased (p < 0.05), with the concentration of the suspending agents. Meanwhile, the apparent viscosity for all formulations has significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with an increase in shear rates. Volume of sedimentation, apparent viscosity, and redispersibility degree of the formulations prepared with AEM were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than XG-containing formulations at the same concentration. Nevertheless, the sedimentation volume of all formulations with AEM was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the suspension without any suspending agent. With regard to drug content and pH values, all formulations showed an acceptable result with the standards. All formulations showed a release of greater than 85% of drug content within 45 min. CONCLUSION: Aloe elegans mucilage could have a potential to be utilized as an alternative suspending agent in pharmaceutical suspensions.

The Effect of Process Variables and Binder Concentration on Tabletability of Metformin Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Granules Produced by Twin Screw Melt Granulation with Different Polymeric Binders.

In twin screw melt granulation, granules are produced by passing mixtures of drug substances and polymeric binders through twin screw extruder such that temperatures are maintained below melting point of drugs but above glass transition of polymers used, whereby the polymers coat surfaces of drug particles and cause their agglomeration into granules. Since various formulation factors, such as binder type and concentration, and processing variables like extrusion temperature, screw configuration, and screw speed, can influence the granulation process, the present investigation was undertaken to study their effects on tabletability of granules produced. Three different types of polymeric binders, Klucel® EXF (hydroxypropyl cellulose), Eudragit® EPO (polyacrylate binder), and Soluplus® (polyvinyl caprolactam-co-vinyl acetate-ethylene glycol graft polymer), were used at 2, 5, and 10% concentrations. Metformin hydrochloride (HCl) (mp: 222°C) and acetaminophen (mp: 169°C) were used as model drugs, and drug-polymer mixtures with metformin HCl were extruded at 180, 160, and 130°C, while those with acetaminophen were extruded at 130 and 110°C. Other process variables included screw configurations: low, medium, and high shear for metformin HCl, and low and medium shear for acetaminophen; feed rates: 20 and 60 g/min; and screw speed of 100 and 300 RPM. Formulation and process variables had significant impact on tabletability. The target tensile strength of ≥2 MPa could be obtained with all polymers and at all processing temperatures when metformin HCl was granulated at 180°C and acetaminophen at 130°C. At other temperatures, the target tensile strength could be achieved at certain specific sets of processing conditions.

A novel approach to avoid capping and/or lamination by application of external lower punch vibration.

Capping as well as lamination are two common problems, which affect the resulting product quality of the tablet. Usually, capping and lamination occur during or after tablet manufacturing, and may therefore influence follow-up processes such as the coating. In this context, there is an urgent need for approaches to overcome the occurrences of capping and lamination. In the present study, a novel lower punch vibration technique was used to decrease the capping or lamination tendency of different powder formulations. Different microcrystalline cellulose types, as well as an API (acetaminophen), were selected as model powders. The powders were investigated regarding their powder flow, density, particle morphology, and surface area. Moreover, the manufactured tablets were characterized regarding their tablet weight, tensile strength, and capping or lamination indices. It was shown that the capping or lamination tendency was strongly affected by the physical powder properties, the formulation composition, and the adjusted turret speed. In addition, the application of externally applied lower punch vibration led to a pronounced decrease of the capping or lamination tendency and improved mechanical stability of the manufactured tablets.

Solvent-free sonochemistry as a route to pharmaceutical co-crystals.

We describe the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant co-crystals by solvent-free sonochemistry starting from solid reagents. Employing a standard ultrasonic cleaning bath, quantitative conversions occurred within 20-60 minutes to give co-crystals of paracetamol and aspirin with a range of co-formers. As well as the utility of the method, the work raises interesting mechanistic questions regarding acoustic cavitation with no liquid phase being present.

Synthesis, hepatotoxic evaluation and antipyretic activity of nitrate ester analogs of the acetaminophen derivative SCP-1.

A series of nitrate ester analogues of the acetaminophen derivative SCP-1 were prepared by triflic acid catalyzed O-acylation of SCP-1 with chloroalkanoyl chlorides followed by nitration with silver nitrate. The chloroesters and corresponding nitrate esters were obtained in high yields. Preliminary hepatotoxicity studies revealed nitrate esters 5b (MD-38) and 5c (MD-39) to be well tolerated by human hepatocytes and had little effect on the three cytochrome P450 enzymes tested (CYP3A4, CYP2E1 and CYP2D6). In addition, the nitrate ester 5c (MD-39) exhibited antipyretic activity similar to acetaminophen.

Intensification of paracetamol (acetaminophen) synthesis from hydroquinone using ultrasound.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is one of the most frequently used analgesic and antipyretic drugs. This work deals with ultrasound assisted synthesis (UAS) of paracetamol from hydroquinone using ammonium acetate as an amidating agent. The optimization of various reaction and ultrasound parameters was performed to minimize the energy and time requirement. UAS of paracetamol was achieved at a lower temperature (60 °C) and the time (150 min) without formation of salt as a byproduct, making reaction green and inherently safer. On the other hand, the conventional process requires high reaction temperature (220 °C) and time (15 h). The quantification of the product was done by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Optimization of parameters revealed that the percent yield of 57.72% can be obtained in 150 min by performing the reaction in the ultrasound bath at 22 kHz frequency, 60 °C temperature, hydroquinone to ammonium acetate and acetic acid in a molar ratio of 1:6:5, 125 W power, 50% duty cycle and agitation speed of 300 RPM. Hence, ultrasound assisted synthesis can be considered as a process intensification tool for the synthesis of paracetamol and possibly other pharmaceutical compounds.

Synthesis and antinociceptive evaluation of bioisosteres and hybrids of naproxen, ibuprofen and paracetamol.

The aim of this work was to design, synthesize and characterize the potential anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of a new series of bioisosteres and hybrids from known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The compounds 4-(acetylamino)phenyl (2S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propanoate (GUF-1) and 4-(acetylamino)phenyl 2-(R,S)-(4-isobutylphenyl)propanoate (GUF-2) were synthesized as hybrids (also known as heterodimers); whereas those named 2-(R,S)-(4-isobutylphenyl)-N-1H-tetrazol-5-ylpropanamide (GUF-3), (2S)-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)-N-1H-tetrazol-5-ylpropanamide (GUF-4), [2-(R,S)-N-hydroxy-2-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanamide] (GUF-5), and (2S)-N-hydroxy-2-(6-methoxy-2-naphthyl)propanamide (GUF-6) were synthesized as bioisosteres of the NSAIDs paracetamol, ibuprofen, and naproxen, respectively. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis. Antinociceptive activity of GUF-1 to GUF-6 was evaluated using the formalin test in rats. Pharmacological responses of GUF-1, GUF-2 (hybrids), and GUF-5 (bioisostere) demonstrated significant antinociceptive effects; thus these compounds were assayed in an inflammation test like carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats. Complete molecular docking of cyclooxygenase and the GUF-1 and GUF-2 hybrids showed high docking scores, compared to the reference drugs. Our data demonstrate that compounds GUF-1, GUF-2, and GUF-5 possesses antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activities resembling and improving those known for the traditional NSAIDs, paracetamol, naproxen and ibuprofen.

Formulation of paracetamol-containing pastilles with in situ coating technology.

The focus of this research was to apply the in situ coating technology for producing paracetamol- (PCT-) containing pastilles for paediatric use from a eutectic of two sugar alcohols (sorbitol, xylitol) in one step. This type of melt-technology is more cost-efficient and simpler than other conventional tableting technologies, whereby the formation of the pastilles and their coating occur upon the same fabrication step. We managed to produce pastilles having a softer core and a harder, resistant shell in one cooling step. Adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) 2000 or 6000 to the PCT-containing eutectic, the dissolution rate of PCT could be considerably increased, especially when using PEG 2000, reaching equal dissolution characteristics both under mouth- and gastric-specific conditions. Distributions of the components within the pastilles have been determined by X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy. Physico-chemical parameters of the xylitol-sorbitol eutectic and their changes upon adding PCT and PEGs have been determined, and it has been revealed that xylitol and sorbitol form a new entity with a distinguished crystal structure. The significant changes in viscosity were explained and the interaction in the eutectic mixture was investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The uniformity of the physical parameters of the pastilles (including size, weight and drug content) also demonstrates the feasibility of using the cost-efficient and simple one-step eutectic-cooling technology for manufacturing pastilles.

Application of CdS quantum dots modified carbon paste electrode for monitoring the process of acetaminophen preparation.

In this research article, a novel, selective, and sensitive modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) using CdS quantum dots (QDs) is presented. The highly stable CdS QDs were successfully synthesized in an in situ process using Na2S2O3 as a precursor and thioglycolic acid as a catalyst and capping agent. The synthesis of CdS QDs was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The synthesized CdS QDs were used for preparation of a modified carbon paste electrode (CdS/CPE). The electrochemical behavior of the electrode toward p-aminophenol (PAP) and acetaminophen (Ac) was studied, and the results demonstrated that the CdS/CPE exhibited good electrocatalytic performance toward PAP and Ac oxidation. The oxidation peak potential of each analyte in the mixture was well separated. As a result, a selective and reliable method was developed for the determination of PAP and Ac simultaneously without any chemical separations. Application of the fabricated electrode for monitoring the process of Ac preparation from PAP was investigated. The obtained results show that CdS/CPE has satisfactory analytical performance; it could be a kind of attractive and promising nanomaterial-based sensor for process monitoring via the electrochemical approach.

Regioselective Green Electrochemical Approach to the Synthesis of Nitroacetaminophen Derivatives.

A regioselective green synthesis of nitroacetaminophen derivatives was carried out by electrochemical oxidation of acetaminophen, N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)acetamide, and 1-(4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethanone in the presence of nitrite ion as a nucleophile. The present work has led to the development of a reagentless green and facile electrochemical method for the synthesis of some nitroacetaminophen derivatives.

Single crystal XRD, vibrational and quantum chemical calculation of pharmaceutical drug paracetamol: A new synthesis form.

The common house hold pharmaceutical drug, paracetamol (PAR), has been synthesized from 4-chloroaniline as a first ever report. After the synthesis, good quality single crystals were obtained for slow evaporation technique under the room temperature. The crystal and molecular structures were re-determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction. The vibrational spectral measurements were carried out using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy in the range of 4000-400 cm(-1). The single crystal X-ray studies shows that the drug crystallized in the monoclinic system polymorph (Form-I). The crystal packing is dominated by N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O classical hydrogen bonds. The ac diagonal of the unit cell features two chain C(7) and C(9) motifs running in the opposite directions. These two chain motifs are cross-linked to each other to form a ring R4(4)(22) motif and a chain C2(2)(6) motif which is running along the a-axis of the unit cell. Along with the classical hydrogen bonds, the methyl group forms a weak C-H⋯O interactions in the crystal packing. It offers the support for molecular assembly especially in the hydrophilic regions. Further, the strength of the hydrogen bonds are studied the shifting of vibrational bands. Geometrical optimizations of the drug molecule were done by the Density Functional Theory (DFT) using the B3LYP function and Hartree-Fock (HF) level with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The optimized molecular geometry and computed vibrational spectra are compared with experimental results which show significant agreement. The factor group analysis of the molecule was carried out by the various molecular symmetry, site and factor group species using the standard correlation method. The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis was carried out to interpret hyperconjugative interaction and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). The chemical softness, chemical hardness, electro-negativity, chemical potential and electrophilicity index of the molecule were found out first time by HOMO-LUMO plot. The frontier orbitals shows lower band gap values signify the possible biological/pharmaceutical activity of the molecule. The thermodynamical properties are also obtained from the calculated frequencies of the optimized structures.

Crystal coating via spray drying to improve powder tabletability.

A continuous crystal coating method was developed to improve both flowability and tabletability of powders. The method includes the introduction of solid, dry particles into an atomized spray during spray drying in order to coat and agglomerate individual particles. Paracetamol was used as a model drug as it exhibits poor flowability and high capping tendency upon compaction. The particle size enlargement and flowability were evaluated by the mean median particle size and flow index of the resulting powders. The crystal coating coprocessing method was successful for the production of powders containing 75% paracetamol with excellent tableting properties. However, the extent of agglomeration achieved during coprocessing was limited. Tablets compressed on a rotary tablet press in manual mode showed excellent compression properties without capping tendency. A formulation with 75% paracetamol, 5% PVP and 20% amorphous lactose yielded a tensile strength of 1.9 MPa at a compression pressure of 288 MPa. The friability of tablets compressed at 188 MPa was only 0.6%. The excellent tabletability of this formulation was attributed to the coating of paracetamol crystals with amorphous lactose and PVP through coprocessing and the presence of brittle and plastic components in the formulation. The coprocessing method was also successfully applied for the production of directly compressible lactose showing improved tensile strength and friability in comparison to a spray dried direct compression lactose grade.

Microwave assisted synthesis and QSAR study of novel NSAID acetaminophen conjugates with amino acid linkers.

Novel, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), acetaminophen conjugates 6a­l with amino acid linkers were synthesized utilizing benzotriazole chemistry. Biological data acquired for all the novel bis-conjugates showed (a) some bis-conjugates (6d, 6e, 6h, and 6k) exhibit more potent anti-inflammatory activity than their parent drugs, (b) the potent bis-conjugates show no visible stomach lesions in contrast to parent drugs which are highly ulcerogenic, and (c) that the potent bio-active compounds have no mortality rates or toxic symptoms at 5 fold the applied anti-inflammatory dosage. A statistically significant QSAR model describing the anti-inflammatory properties of 6a­l (N = 15, n = 3, R(2) = 0.891, R(2)cvOO = 0.770, R(2)cvMO = 0.796, F = 29.904, s(2) = 0.011) was obtained employing CODESSA-Pro that validated the observed bio-activity.

An approach to engineer paracetamol crystals by antisolvent crystallization technique in presence of various additives for direct compression.

Paracetamol is a popular over-the-counter analgesic and a challenging model drug due to its poor technological and biopharmaceutical properties such as flowability, compressibility, compactibility and wettability. This work was aimed to alter the crystal habit of paracetamol from elongated to polyhedral-angular via particle engineering whilst maintaining the stable polymorphic form (form I: monoclinic form). The engineered paracetamol crystals obtained in the present investigation showed better technological and biopharmaceutical properties in comparison to the commercial paracetamol. Engineered paracetamol crystals were obtained using antisolvent crystallization technique in the presence of various concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1%, w/w) of additives, namely, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Avicel PH 102 (microcrystalline cellulose), Brij 58, methylcellulose (MC) and polyethylene glycol having different molecular weights (PEGs 1500, 6000 and 8000). Paracetamols crystallized in the presence of Avicel (or physically mixed with Avicel), Brij 58 and PEG 6000 demonstrated the best compactibility over a range of compaction pressures. Brij-crystallized paracetamol provided the fastest dissolution rate among all the paracetamol batches. Paracetamols crystallized in the presence of PVA or Avicel, or physically mixed with Avicel demonstrated a reduced degree of crystallinity in comparison to the other paracetamols. This study showed that the type, the grade and the concentration of additives could influence the physical stability such as flow, crystallinity and polymorphic transformation of paracetamol, the technological and biopharmaceutical properties of paracetamol. Stable polymorphic form of paracetamol with optimal tableting characteristics can be achieved through particle engineering.

Preparation and optimization of acetaminophen nanosuspension through nanoprecipitation using microfluidic devices: an artificial neural networks study.

The purpose of this study was to find an artificial neural networks model for determining major factors impacting the stability of an acetaminophen nanosuspansion that was prepared using nanoprecipitation in microfluidic reactors. Four variables, namely concentration of surfactant, solvent and antisolvent flow rate and solvent temperature were used as input variables and time of sedimentation of nanoparticles was considered as output variable. The particle size of optimized formulation was measured by transmission electron microscope and dynamic light scattering. Comparing the 3D graphs from the model showed that antisolvent flow rate and temperature have direct relation with time of sedimentation, whereas solvent flow rate generally has reverse relation with the time of sedimentation. Concentration of surfactant was found to be the most important factor in determining the stability of nanosuspension.

Purified acetaminophen-glutathione conjugate is able to induce oxidative stress in rat liver mitochondria.

Acetaminophen overdose is the most often cause of acute liver injury. The toxic mechanism is linked to formation of an active metabolite that reacts with glutathione generating acetaminophen-glutathione conjugate (APAP-SG). This compound has been recognized to be non-toxic generally. Our preliminary results showed, however, that APAP-SG could possess a toxic effect too. Therefore, the aim of our study was to prepare, purify and to test possible toxicity of APAP-SG. We prepared APAP-SG using organic synthesis. The conjugate was purified by preparative HPLC and its structure was confirmed using mass spectrometry. Final purity of APAP-SG was >98 %. We estimated a toxic effect of APAP-SG in isolated rat liver mitochondria using a fluorescent ROS probe. We assessed ROS production in presence of complex I or complex II substrates. The increase of ROS-dependent fluorescence in presence of glutamate/malate was 104 ± 13 % and 130 ± 10 % in 1 mM and 5 mM APAP-SG, respectively, in comparison with controls. ROS production related to presence of complex II substrate was enhanced 4-times in APAP-SG (5 mM) treated mitochondria (compared to controls). We conclude, we proved our hypothesis that APAP-SG conjugate is able to induce a mitochondrial impairment leading to enhanced ROS production.

A combined study using ligand-based design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of analogues of the acetaminophen ortho-regioisomer with potent analgesic activity.

A ligand-based drug design study was performed to acetaminophen regioisomers as analgesic candidates employing quantum chemical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory and the 6-31G* basis set. To do so, many molecular descriptors were used such as highest occupied molecular orbital, ionization potential, H-O bond dissociation energies, and spin densities, which might be related to quench reactivity of the tyrosyl radical to give N-acetyl-p-benzosemiquinone-imine through an initial electron withdrawing or hydrogen atom abstraction. Based on this in silico work, the most promising molecule, orthobenzamol, was synthesized and tested. The results expected from the theoretical prediction were confirmed in vivo using mouse models of nociception such as writhing, paw licking, and hot plate tests. All biological results suggested an antinociceptive activity mediated by opioid receptors. Furthermore, at 90 and 120 min, this new compound had an effect that was comparable to morphine, the standard drug for this test. Finally, the pharmacophore model is discussed according to the electronic properties derived from quantum chemistry calculations.

Preparation and characterisation of solid state forms of paracetamol-O-glucuronide.

The synthesis and crystallisation of the pharmaceutically important metabolite, paracetamol-O-glucuronide, is described. Hydrated and anhydrous forms of the target molecule have been characterised by PXRD, DSC and TGA. In addition, a methanol solvate has been analysed, including single crystal analysis, which represents the first structure solution for this system.

Development of acetaminophen proline prodrug.

In this research work, proline ester prodrug of acetaminophen (Pro-APAP) was synthesized and evaluated for its stability in PBS buffer at various pH and Caco-2 cell homogenate. The Pro-APAP is more stable at lower pH than higher pH, with half-life of 120min in PBS buffer at pH 2.0, half-life of 65min at pH 5.0, and half life of 3.5min at pH 7.4, respectively. The half-life of Pro-APAP in Caco-2 cell homogenate is about 1min, much shorter than the half-life in PBS buffer at pH 7.4, indicating enzymes in the cell homogenate contribute to the hydrolysis of the ester bond. Carboxypeptidase A was incubated with Pro-APAP at pH 7.4 with half-life of 3.8min which is very close to the half life in buffer itself. This clearly indicates carboxypeptidase A is not one of the enzymes contributing to the hydrolysis of the prodrug. Physicochemical characteristics such as melting point and stability of newly synthesized prodrug were determined by MDSC technique.