Docetaxel : Solid state characterization by X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetry

Abstract
Docetaxel, a stoichiometric hydrate containing three water molecules per molecule of drug substance, is thermodynamically stable under ambient conditions of pressure, temperature and relative humidity. Dehydration of this form was subjected to X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and thermogravimetric experiments. To obtain a better understanding of the observed structural changes between trihydrate and dehydrated forms, the crystalline structure of docetaxel was refined using high resolution XRPD data coupled with an ab initio direct space method.