Application of Mechanochemistry in the Synthesis and Discovery of New Pharmaceutical Forms: Co-crystals, Salts and Coordination Compounds

Abstract

In the past decade mechanochemical methodologies, such as neat grinding and liquid-assisted grinding, have been demonstrated to be a highly efficient means of both synthesising and screening for pharmaceutical co-crystals. This chapter provides an overview of these mechanochemical methodologies, their applications to date, an overview of mechanistic details and a brief comparison with more conventional co-crystallisation methods based on solution crystallisation and slurrying. In addition to the use of mechanosynthesis in the context of pharmaceutical co-crystals, its application for pharmaceutical salt synthesis and screening is also described, as well as recent applications in the synthesis of metal–organic derivatives.