Structure and Thermal Stability of Two Estetrol Solvates

Abstract

Two solvates of estetrol have been isolated and characterized by SCXRD and PXRD as well as by thermal analyses, morphology and spectroscopy. Estetrol monohydrate (Estetrol.H2O, S.G. P1, Z = 12) contains 12 molecules in its asymmetric unit with very subtle conformational differences with one another but reveals an intricate network made of intermolecular H-bonds established with the neighbour estetrol molecules and with crystallization water. Each molecule of estetrol methanol hemisolvate (Estetrol.0.5CH3OH, S.G. C2, Z = 4) establishes six O-H…O bonds with six different neighbours and additional H-bonds with methanol. In both structures, estetrol molecules are organized in a head-to-tail arrangement that favours the formation of O-H…O interactions. The increased thermal stability of Estetrol.0.5CH3OH crystals with respect to Estetrol.H2O can be correlated to the strengthened network of H-bonds.