Elucidating the crystal structure of the antimalarial drug (+/-)-mefloquine hydrochloride: a tetragonal hydrated species

Author(s)

do Prado, Vania Mendes ; Seiceira, Rafael Cardoso ; Pitaluga, Altivo, Jr. ; Andrade-Filho, Tarciso ; Alves, Wendel Andrade ; Rocha, Alexandre Reily ; Ferreira, Fabio Furlan

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY; v. 47, p. 7-pg., 2014-08-01.

Abstract

Albeit widely studied, the structure of the antimalarial drug (+/-)-mefloquine hydrochloride is still a controversial issue. A combination of X-ray powder diffraction, theoretical calculations and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy is used to unambiguously determine the crystal structure of the molecule in its active pharmaceutical ingredient. It is demonstrated that water is incorporated into the structure, leading to a hydrated form and, most importantly, to significant differences in both structure and bonding. Such changes can lead to significant differences in biological activity. (C) 2014 International Union of Crystallography (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02112-0 - Hibrid QM/MM methods applied to electronic transport simulations of graphene: applications to DNA sequencing and protein detection
• Grantee: Alexandre Reily Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/10537-3 - Study of crystalline pharmaceuticals polymorphs by X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method
• Grantee: Fabio Furlan Ferreira
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 09/15129-3 - Ab initio simulations of electronic transport in disordered nanostructures
• Grantee: Alexandre Reily Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants