Study of raw materials of prednisone by means of the X-ray powder diffraction

• Grant number: 12/07265-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2012
• End date: April 30, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Furlan Ferreira
• Grantee: Debora Christina Ramos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/10537-3 - Study of crystalline pharmaceuticals polymorphs by X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method, AP.JP

Abstract

The macroscopic properties of a solid are defined by their microscopic structures. The crystal structures, i.e. the ways in which atoms or ions are arranged, are decisive in the characterization of these substances. The drugs are generally administered in solid form, and may display polymorphism (the ability to crystallize in more than one crystalline form or structure). Therefore, certain medicines may be toxic or have their effectiveness reduced if the wrong polymorph is used (in this case, one that lacks the active ingredient). The main technique used to identify different polymorphs is the X-ray diffraction. With the Rietveld method it is possible to perform the refinement of crystal structures with data obtained by diffraction, in a way one can obtain a quantitative phase analysis of the crystal structures, for example. The objective of this study is to perform the structural characterization of different lots of raw materials of prednisone, a drug used to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and several renal diseases. The main characterization technique is the X-ray powder diffraction together with the Rietveld method of refinement of crystal structures. (AU)