Letter abstract
Nature Materials 6, 206 - 209 (2007)
doi:10.1038/nmat1848
Subject Categories: Characterisation and analytical techniques | Computation, modelling and theory
Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and the quantitative monitoring of mechanochemical cocrystal formation
K. Lien Nguyen1,
Tomislav Fri
i
2,
Graeme M. Day2,
Lynn F. Gladden1
and
William Jones2
Terahertz (THz) radiation probes intermolecular interactions through crystal lattice vibrations, allowing the characterization of solid materials1, 2. Thus, THz spectroscopy is a promising alternative to mainstream solid-state analytical tools such as X-ray diffraction or thermal analysis3. The method provides the benefits of online measurement4, remote sampling5 and three-dimensional imaging6, all of which are attractive for quality control and security applications. In the context of pharmaceutical solids, THz spectroscopy can differentiate and quantify different forms of active pharmaceutical ingredients7, 8. Here, we apply this technique to monitor a dynamic process involving two molecular crystals9. In particular, we follow the mechanochemical construction of a two-component cocrystal10, 11, 12 by grinding together phenazine (phen) and mesaconic acid (mes)13. To rationalize the observed changes in the spectra, we conduct lattice dynamics calculations that lead to the tentative assignment of at least one feature in the cocrystal THz spectrum.
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3RA, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
Correspondence to: Lynn F. Gladden1 e-mail: gladden@cheng.cam.ac.uk
Correspondence to: William Jones2 e-mail: wj10@cam.ac.uk
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