Publications by authors named "Paolo Cerreia Vioglio"

Complexes of paramagnetic metal ions, in particular Gd, have been demonstrated as efficient polarising agents for magic-angle spinning (MAS) dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP). We recently demonstrated that commercially available and inexpensive Gd(NO) is suitable for use as an "off-the-shelf" MAS DNP polarising agent, providing promising sensitivity enhancements to H, C, and N NMR signals. Here we expand upon this approach by investigating the impact of the Gd(NO) concentration and by exploring a larger range of readily available Gd sources.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Crystallization is fundamental in many domains, and the investigation of the sequence of solid phases produced as a function of crystallization time is thus key to understand and control crystallization processes. Here, we used a solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance strategy to monitor the crystallization process of glycine, which is a model compound in polymorphism, under the influence of crystallizing additives, such as methanol or sodium chloride. More specifically, our strategy is based on a combination of low-temperatures and dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) to trap and detect transient crystallizing forms, which may be present only in low quantities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Establishing mechanistic understanding of crystallization processes at the molecular level is challenging, as it requires both the detection of transient solid phases and monitoring the evolution of both liquid and solid phases as a function of time. Here, we demonstrate the application of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enhanced NMR spectroscopy to study crystallization under nanoscopic confinement, revealing a viable approach to interrogate different stages of crystallization processes. We focus on crystallization of glycine within the nanometric pores (7-8 nm) of a tailored mesoporous SBA-15 silica material with wall-embedded TEMPO radicals.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We report on the preparation, characterization, and bioavailability properties of three new crystal forms of ethionamide, an antitubercular agent used in the treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis. The new adducts were obtained by combining the active pharmaceutical ingredient with three dicarboxylic acids, namely glutaric, malonic and tartaric acid, in equimolar ratios. Crystal structures were obtained for all three adducts and were compared with two previously reported multicomponent systems of ethionamide with maleic and fumaric acid.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A rotated Doehlert matrix was utilized to explore the experimental design space around the milling parameters of Praziquantel (PZQ) polymorph B formation in terms of frequency and milling time. Three experimental responses were evaluated on the resulting ground samples: two quantitative responses, i.e.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Crystallization plays an important role in many areas, and to derive a fundamental understanding of crystallization processes, it is essential to understand the sequence of solid phases produced as a function of time. Here, we introduce a new NMR strategy for studying the time evolution of crystallization processes, in which the crystallizing system is quenched rapidly to low temperature at specific time points during crystallization. The crystallized phase present within the resultant "frozen solution" may be investigated in detail using a range of sophisticated NMR techniques.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In situ solid-state NMR spectroscopy is exploited to monitor the structural evolution of a glycine/water glass phase formed on flash cooling an aqueous solution of glycine, with a range of modern solid-state NMR methods applied to elucidate structural properties of the solid phases present. The glycine/water glass is shown to crystallize into an intermediate phase, which then transforms to the β polymorph of glycine. Our in situ NMR results fully corroborate the identity of the intermediate crystalline phase as glycine dihydrate, which was first proposed only very recently.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Praziquantel is the only available drug to treat Schistosomiasis. However, its utilization is limited by many drawbacks, including the high therapeutic dose needed, resulting in large tablets and capsules difficult to be swallowed, especially from pediatric patients. In this study, an alternative option to overcome these disadvantages is proposed: to switch to a novel crystalline polymorph of racemic compound praziquantel.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In recent years many efforts have been devoted to the screening and the study of new solid-state forms of old active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) with salification or co-crystallization processes, thus modulating final properties without changing the pharmacological nature. Salts, hydrates/solvates, and cocrystals are the common solid-state forms employed. They offer the intriguing possibility of exploring different pharmaceutical properties for a single API in the quest of enhancing the final drug product.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy is a versatile characterization technique that can provide a plethora of information complementary to single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) analysis. Herein, we present an experimental and computational investigation of the relationship between the geometry of a halogen bond (XB) and the SSNMR chemical shifts of the non-quadrupolar nuclei either directly involved in the interaction ( N) or covalently bonded to the halogen atom ( C). We have prepared two series of X-bonded co-crystals based upon two different dipyridyl modules, and several halobenzenes and diiodoalkanes, as XB-donors.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF