Designing co-crystals can be considered as a commonly used strategy to improve the bioavailability of many low molecular weight drug candidates. The present study has revealed the existence of three pseudo polymorphic forms of theophylline-citric acid (TP-CA) co-crystal obtained via different routes of synthesis. These forms are characterized by different degrees of stability in relation with the strength of intermolecular forces responsible for the co-crystalline cohesion. Combining low- and high-frequency Raman investigations made it possible to identify anhydrous and hydrate forms of theophylline-citric acid co-crystals depending on the preparation method. It was shown that the easiest form to synthesize (form 1'), by milling one hydrate with an anhydrous reactant, is very metastable, and transforms into the anhydrous form 1 upon heating or into the hydrated form 2 when it is exposed to humidity. Raman investigations performed in situ during the co-crystallization of forms 1 and 2 have shown that two different types of H-bonding ensure the co-crystalline cohesion depending on the presence of water. In the hydrated form 2, the cohesive forces are related to strong O-H … O H-bonds between water molecules and the reactants. In the anhydrous form 1, the co-crystalline cohesion is ensured by very weak H-bonds between the two anhydrous reactants, interpreted as corresponding to π-H-bonding. The very weak strength of the cohesive forces in form 1 explains the difficulty to directly synthesize the anhydrous co-crystal.
Keywords: H-bonding; Raman spectroscopy; co-milling; physical stability; π-H-bonding.