Intriguing High Z'' Cocrystals of Emtricitabine

Abstract

Emtricitabine (ECB) afforded dimorphic cocrystals (Forms I, II) of benzoic acid (BA), whereas with p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) are resulted in as high Z'' cocrystals. Intriguingly, the Z'' of cocrystals are trends from two to fourteen based on the manipulation of functional groups on the para position of BA (where H atom is replaced with that of OH or NH2 group). ECB‒PABA cocrystal consists of six molecules each and two water molecules in the asymmetric unit (Z''=14) with 2D planar sheets represents the rare pharmaceutical cocrystal. The findings suggest that the increment of H bond donor(s) systematically via a suitable coformer are in correspondence with attaining high Z'' cocrystals. Further, solid state NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with single crystal X-ray diffraction are demonstrated as significant tools to enhance the understanding of the number of symmetry independent molecules in the crystalline lattice and provide insights to the mechanistic pathways of crystallization.