Preparation and characterization of a novel polymorph of indiplon, Form α

A new polymorph α of indiplon was discovered, initially prepared by two methods, and further characterized by various means including single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction (VT-PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry analysis (TGA), Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy and solubility determination. The crystal structure of Form α as analyzed by SCXRD differ from the three previously reported polymorphs, Form I, II, and III. In addition, PXRD and solubility measurements could clearly distinguish between Form α and Form I. Slight differences between the two forms were also detected by FT-Raman. No differences between Form α and I were observed by DSC, which was explained by VT-PXRD results showing a solid-solid phase change from Form α to Form I during the heating process. Solubility measurements at various temperatures showed that the two polymorphs were mutually monotropic and that Form I was the relatively thermodynamically stable crystal form.