Thermally-prepared polymorphic forms of cilostazol

Prior to this study, cilostazol, an antithrombotic drug, was thought to exist as a single crystalline phase with a melting point of approximately 159 degrees C (Form A). On cooling, melts often form a glass that, when heated, may crystallize as additional crystalline polymorphic forms. Cilostazol, when reheated, subsequently forms polymorphs that melt at approximately 136 degrees C (Form B) and 146 degrees C (Form C). Free-energy temperature diagrams estimated from calorimetry data reveal that each pair of the cilostazol polymorphs (A-B, B-C, and A-C) is monotropic. Essentially pure samples of suitable crystalline shape and size permitted single crystal structural analysis of Forms A and C. Theoretical solubility ratios calculated using calorimetry data indicate that at 37 degrees C, Form B should be more than four times more soluble and Form C should be more than two times more soluble than Form A. Forms B and C could not be crystallized from solvents. Metastable forms from super cooled melts analyzed by intrinsic dissolution and Fourier transform-Raman experiments demonstrated that Forms B and C undergo a rapid, solvent-mediated recrystallization to Form A, making dissolution rate measurements difficult.