Role of structural and macrocrystalline factors in the desolvation behaviour of cortisone acetate solvates

摘要

A combined analysis of structural data and experimental results (DSC, temperature-resolved XRPD and hot stage optical microscopy) revealed that the dehydration mechanism of cortisone acetate monohydrate (CTA·H2O) involves a collective and anisotropic departure of water molecules followed by a cooperative structural reorganization toward the anhydrous polymorph CTA (form 2). In spite of the lack of crystal structure data, it can be postulated from experimental data that thermal decomposition of the dihydrated form (CTA·2H2O) and of the tetrahydrofuran solvate (CTA·THF) toward another polymorph (CTA (form 3)) also proceeds according to a cooperative mechanism, thus giving rise to probable structural filiations between these crystalline forms of CTA. The crystal structure determination of two original solvates (CTA·DMF and CTA·DMSO) indicates that these phases are isomorphous to the previously reported acetone solvate. However, their desolvation behaviour does not involve a cooperative mechanism, as could be expected from structural data only. Instead, the decomposition mechanism of CTA·DMF and CTA·DMSO starts with the formation of a solvent-proof superficial layer, followed by the partial dissolution of the enclosed inner part of crystals.