Polymorphism and crystallization behavior of Abbott-79175, a second-generation 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor

The crystal polymorphism of Abbott-79175, a potent second-generation 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, has been studied. Crystallization from an ethyl acetate/heptane system in which moisture content was not controlled and from an ethanol/water system produced a crystal form I, which by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and Karl Fischer analysis was likely a hemihydrate. This hemihydrate form of the compound was demonstrated to reversibly dehydrate/hydrate with the use of low heat and vacuum followed by exposure to water vapor (100% relative humidity). The dehydrated version of I was designated IA. However, it was shown that a relative humidity approaching 100% was required for the water to re-enter the crystal structure. X-ray powder diffraction and solid state 13C NMR data on polycrystalline samples crystallized from seven single organic solvents suggested two nonsolvated forms of the compound, II and III. The heptane addition rate to a dry ethyl acetate solution of the drug was shown to greatly affect the crystal habit, the crystallite size, and specific surface area upon its precipitation. Solution calorimetry of forms I, IA, and II showed that I had the most endothermic heat of solution, with IA and II having lower values. Initial dissolution rates of compressed disks of these forms in water showed rates of IA > II approximately I. Considering all data, including evidence of conversion of II to I in aqueous suspension, it is suggested that the relative thermodynamic stability (at least when water was present) in decreasing order is I > II > IA, although I and II are similar energetically. The lower terminal dissolution rate for form IA was due to, in part, conversion to the less soluble Form I.