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Updated: Jun 14, 2026
09:10
The Frequency Domain Thermoreflectance Technique for Thermal Property Measurements
Published on: December 5, 2025
Thermal stability studies of 5-fluorouracil using diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy
Parul Singh1, Gunjan Tyagi, Ranjana Mehrotra
1Optical Radiation Standards, National Physical Laboratory, K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi-110012, India.
Drug Testing and Analysis
|April 1, 2010
Summary
Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy effectively determined the thermal stability of 5-fluorouracil, a key chemotherapy drug. This method confirmed the drug
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- 5-Fluorouracil is a long-established chemotherapy agent with demonstrated efficacy against various cancers and DNA viruses.
- Understanding the thermal stability of 5-Fluorouracil is crucial for its formulation, storage, and therapeutic application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy for assessing the thermal stability of 5-Fluorouracil.
- To compare DRIFT spectroscopy results with established thermal analysis techniques.
Main Methods:
- Infrared spectra of 5-Fluorouracil were acquired using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in diffuse reflectance mode after thermal exposure.
- Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed concurrently for validation.
Main Results:
- DRIFT spectroscopy indicated that 5-Fluorouracil maintains good thermal stability up to 275°C.
- Complete thermal decomposition of 5-Fluorouracil was observed around 285°C.
- DSC and XRD analyses corroborated the thermal stability data obtained from DRIFT spectroscopy.
Conclusions:
- Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy is a viable and effective method for determining the thermal stability of 5-Fluorouracil.
- The findings support the integration of DRIFT spectroscopy in quality control and stability studies for 5-Fluorouracil.
- 5-Fluorouracil exhibits significant thermal stability within a defined temperature range, relevant for pharmaceutical processing.
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