Polymorphic transformation of indomethacin in precirol solid dispersion system

The polymorphic transformation of indomethacin (IMC) in the presence of Precirol during heating was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, microscopic Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)/DSC system, and powder X-ray diffractometry with heating. The results indicate that in the presence of Precirol the original γ form of IMC was first transformed to a transition state, and then to a new polymorph by heating or exposure to IR radiation. The transition state of the melted sample gave three endothermic peaks, at 34, 48 and 127°C, and one exothermic peak, at 54°C. The stable melted sample exhibited two endothermic peaks, at 58 and 127°C, which were due to the fusion of Precirol and the new polymorph of IMC, respectively. This new polymorph of IMC also exhibited two specific IR absorption peaks, at 1693 and 1675 cm−1. Microscopic FT-IR/DSC was used to examine the correlation between the structural transformation and its thermal response, and demonstrated the existence of the transition state of the melted sample. X-ray diffractometry with heating confirmed the appearance of the new polymorph of IMC in the presence of Precirol after heating.