Electrochemically controlled cocrystallisation of caffeine:1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid

Controlled formation of cocrystals is an important objective in drug development. Here, cocrystallisation of caffeine and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid was investigated at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions under chemical polarisation. In this way, selective cocrystallisation was achieved, as verified by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Positive interfacial potentials favoured the formation of one polymorphic form of caffeine:1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid cocrystal. This approach to electrochemically controlled cocrystallisation opens up new possibilities for drug development.

Automated summary

Controlled formation of cocrystals of caffeine and 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid was achieved at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions under chemical polarisation, leading to the selective cocrystallisation as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Positive interfacial potentials favored the formation of a specific polymorphic form of caffeine:1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid cocrystal. This electrochemically controlled cocrystallisation approach opens up new possibilities for drug development.