Solvate Formation of Bis(demethoxy)curcumin: Crystal Structure Analyses and Stability Investigations

Bis(demethoxy)curcumin (BDMC), extracted from rhizomes of the traditional herb Curcuma longa, has revealed a wide range of medicinal applications, such as antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic. Pure BDMC was obtained by recrystallization from ethanol and three BDMC solvates were identified with acetone, methanol, and isopropanol. The crystal structures of pure BDMC and the solvates were resolved by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Analyses of the crystal structures and calculations of crystal packing efficiencies revealed that pure BDMC is efficiently packed. The solvents involved are not utilized to fill the void spaces in the crystal structures, but to provide effective intermolecular interactions. The stoichiometry of the three solvates obtained from single crystal data is 1:1, which is in good agreement with the gravimetric analyses. Furthermore, the desolvation process and the stability of the solvates were investigated by various analytical techniques including X-ray diffraction, differential scanning...