Host–guest complexes of docetaxel, an anti-cancer drug

Host–guest complexes of Docetaxel 1 , an anti-cancer drug have been isolated and crystal structures are described. Docetaxel crystallized in the 1:1 molar ratio with n -butanol, dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetonitrile (ACN) during crystallization from the respective solvents. In all the three complexes ( 1 · n -butanol, 1 · DMF and 1 · ACN), docetaxel formed a host framework through hydrogen bonds and the guest solvent molecules occupied the channels. The host is hydrogen bonded to the guest molecules through hydroxyl moieties. Interestingly, 1 · n -butanol, 1 · DMF and a literature 1 · CH 3 OH · H 2 O (1:1:1) host–guest complexes are isomorphs. Further, 1 · ACN complex unit cell parameters are similar (same space group) to the marketed docetaxel trihydrate polymorph (form A).