Characterization of polymorphs of a new anti-inflammatory drug

The present study demonstrates the utility of a diversified analytical approach for the characterization and quantitative analysis for two polymorphs of a new anti-inflammatory agent, (±)-7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-methoxy-2-propylphenoxy) propoxy-3,4-dihydro-8-propyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-carboxylic acid (SC-41930). The existence of two distinct crystal polymorphs of SC-41930 was qualitatively indicated through microscopy and application of thermal methods of analysis. The application of TGA was important for establishing that the two solid forms were, in fact, polymorphs, as opposed to solvated and unsolvated drug substances. The application of IR spectrometry revealed spectral features in the carbonyl stretching region, which were characteristic and unique to the two SC-41930 polymorphs. DRIFT spectrometry was implemented as the sampling method of choice to eliminate the possibility of polymorphic transformations during conventional mulling or KBr pellet sampling procedures. The DRIFT spectrometry procedure permitted development of a quantitative assay for detection of the low-melting polymorph (as an impurity) in high-melting samples. Calibration plots showed acceptable linearity of response from 0 to 25% (w/w) low-melting samples spiked into the high-melting polymorph. The performance characteristics of the method indicated good run-to-run and day-to-day consistency for its intended use.