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Control of organic polymorph formation: crystallization pathways in acoustically levitated droplets
(2017)
Theoretical and experimental studies indicate that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than expected on the ground of the classical nucleation theory. Among these pathways are the formation of pre-nucleation clusters and amorphous precursor phases. A direct in situ observation of the different pathways of nucleation from solution is challenging since the paths can be influenced by heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls. Here, we provide insights into the crystallization process using the in situ combination of an acoustic levitator, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray scattering. The contactless sample holder enables the observation of homogeneous crystallization processes and the detection of intermediates and final crystalline forms. We provide evidence for the existence of multiple pathways of nucleation based on the investigation of the crystallization of organic molecules from different solvents. Starting from a diluted solution, a supersaturation is reached during the experiment due to the evaporation of the solvent. The highly supersaturated solution reveals different pathways of crystallization. Depending on the degree of supersaturation either the thermodynamically stable or the metastable crystal form is observed.
Theoretical and experimental studies indicate that crystal nucleation can take more complex pathways than expected on the ground of the classical nucleation theory. A direct in situ observation of the different pathways of nucleation from solution is challenging since the paths can be influenced by heterogeneous nucleation sites, such as container walls.
The custom-made acoustic levitator using in these experiments regulates the influence that solid surfaces, temperature, and humidity have on the crystallization process. The investigations of the crystallization process of paracetamol were performed with in situ analytical techniques and theoretical simulations to gain a comprehensive insight into processes, occurring intermediates, and required reaction conditions. The targeted choice of the solvent and the concentration enabled the guidance of the pathways, therefore, resulting in the isolation of one desired crystalline structure.