Establishment of a solvent map for formation of crystalline and amorphous paclitaxel by solvent evaporation process

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering Vol. 28; no. 9; pp. 1918 - 1923
• Main Authors: Yoon, Jae-Won, Kim, Jin-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.09.2011; 한국화학공학회
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials Science; Separation Technology; 화학공학; Polarity Index; Formation Control; Solvent Map; Paclitaxel; Solvent Evaporation Process
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-011-0060-2

This study intended to establish a solvent map for formation of crystalline and amorphous paclitaxel by a solvent evaporation process. Crystalline paclitaxel was produced by evaporation with polar solvents (acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, isobutyl alcohol, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, and n-butyl alcohol) having a polarity index above 4.00. On the other hand, amorphous paclitaxel was produced by evaporation with non-polar solvents (methylene chloride, n-butyl chloride, and toluene) having a polarity index of about 4.00 or lower. The formation of paclitaxel was very closely associated with the polarity index of the organic solvent used in the solvent evaporation process. In the case of crystalline paclitaxel, the higher the polarity index and the lower the viscosity of the organic solvent (n-butyl alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and acetonitrile), the higher the degree of crystallinity. In the case of amorphous paclitaxel, the shape and size of particles varied according to the solvent (methylene chloride, n-butyl chloride, and toluene) used in the solvent evaporation process.