Thermal, spectroscopic and structural analysis of a thermosalient phase transformation in tapentadol hydrochloride

Presented herein are detailed optical, thermal, spectroscopic and structural analyses of the phase transformation occurring in tapentadol hydro­chloride (C14H24NO+·Cl−), a phenomenon already reported [Fischer et al. (2006); Patent: WO 2006000441 A2]. The thermal behaviour of the compound was studied using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and Raman scattering measurements. The compound undergoes a first-order reversible phase transition at Theat = 318.0 (1) K, Tcool = 300.0 (1) K, as assessed by the coexistence of both phases in the vicinity of the transition and the abrupt changes observed in the unit-cell parameters with temperature. The process is accompanied by clear thermosalient behaviour, with a conspicuous movement of the samples. On cooling, the transformation leads from a P212121 symmetry (Z′ = 1) to P21, with an abrupt change in β [90 ↔ 94.78 (1)°] and duplication of the asymmetric unit contents (Z′ = 2). The main structural differences observed across the transition are extremely small, with almost no changes in the stronger, non-covalent interaction scheme involving the `conventional' (N—H⋯Cl, O—H⋯Cl) hydrogen bonds.