The relationship between aqueous activity coefficients (log γ(w)) and different physico-chemical properties has been studied for a number of solutes by both empirical correlations as well as by applying existing theoretical models. The solute properties selected have been classified into three categories: geometrical, polar, and electrostatic. The solutes chosen were divided into two major groups: (a) Training Set. Structurally simple compounds, i.e., each containing only one functional group, and (b) Test Set. A series of drugs and pollutants covering a wide variety of functional groups. The Training Set is in turn formed by four sub-sets of structurally related solutes, each representative of typical data sets used in the literature for solubility studies. Linear relationships were found for polar and geometric parameters in agreement with those reported in the literature. However, although the overall correlations are good, the quality of the regressions among the sub-sets is not uniform. The generality of the relationships obtained with the Training Set was tested by applying the obtained expressions to estimate log γ(w) of the solutes of the Test Set. It was found that the parameters of the theoretical models are the only ones whose relationship with log γ(w) is maintained for both the Training and the Test sets. The theoretical models used are: octanol-water partition coefficient estimated by both Rekker's (parameter LOGP) and by Leo's (parameter PCLOGP) methods; the solubility group contributions method of Wakita et al. (1986) (parameter WAKITA); the Linear Solvation Energy Relationships model (parameter KAMLET), and the UNIFAC model. The theoretical approaches were evaluated based on two criteria: accuracy of predictions and range of applicability. The accuracy of predictions was quantitated by a prediction coefficient, P², which although analogous to regression coefficient (R²) is far less flexible. Prediction coefficient is sensitive not only to scatter of the predictions but also to the systematic errors of the model being tested. The range of applicability was quantitated by the fraction (f) of solutes within the data set for which estimates by the given methodology are possible. The Accuracy-Generality Product (AGP) defined as the product of P² and f was used as the overall criterion for evaluation. The results indicated that the quality of predictions of the theoretical models as determined by the AGP is PCLOGP > LOGP > WAKITA > UNIFAC > KAMLET, for both the Training and Test sets.

An investigation of the sodium aluminate-sodium nitrate system was conducted. The effect of sodium nitrate on the solubility of aluminum is important to the retrieval of waste from the tanks at the Hanford nuclear facility located in the state of Washington. Experiments were performed on the NaAlO2 - NaNO3 - H2O system at 25?aC and 50?aC. The results obtained from these experiments were then compared to predictions from the Environmental Simulation Program (ESP, OLI Systems, Inc.) and available literature data. The presence of sodium nitrate increased the solubility of sodium aluminate in water. Sodium nitrate exhibited a greater effect on the solubility of sodium aluminate at higher temperature. Error analysis of the experimental data was performed and indicated that the experimental molalities were accurate to within an average of +3%. The measured data will be used to improve existing databases for ESP.

In this work the chromium solubility in MC, and M in Cr3C2 and Cr7C3 carbides in the Ti-Cr-C and Ta-Cr-C system have been examined experimentally. Special attention is given to the cubic MC phase due to its frequent use in industrial cemented carbides. A sample series was made where half of the samples were arc-melted and all samples were heat-treated at different temperatures. By arc-melting some of the samples it was possible to compare the arc-melted and non arc-melted samples to confirm equilibrium. Three phases were expected in each sample. The microstructure was examined by LOM and SEM. The phases were identified by XRD and the amount of Cr in each phase was measured by WDS in FEG-SEM or by microprobe analysis. A higher temperature for the heat-treatment allows more Cr to dissolve in the cubic carbide. Arc-melted samples allow more Cr to dissolve than the same system which has not been arc-melted. The Cr solubility in the cubic carbide in non arc-melted samples at 1400 degree Celcius is 8,1±0,4 at% in (Ti, Cr)C and 7,6±0,3 at% in (Ta, Cr)C. According to the samples the phase diagrams based on thermodynamic calculations are different to experimental data. Therefore, more experimental data should be made to update existing ternary diagrams.

Although disintegration is not always a prerequisite for drug dissolution, this process plays a significant role in the rate and extent of dissolution, especially in the case of sparingly water-soluble drugs (like furosemide). Any factor that influences tablet disintegration, therefore, will influence drug dissolution. Since the filler often comprises more than 80% of the total tablet weight, it will affect tablet properties and therefore disintegration. The solubility of the filler is expected to play a major role in determining tablet disintegration. During the initial stage of the study the physical powder properties (density, particle size, flow properties and compressibility) of Tablettose® (soluble) and Avicel® PH 200 (insoluble) as tablet fillers were determined and compared in order to establish their inherent powder properties. Tablets from mixtures containing each filler and 0.5% w/w magnesium stearate (as lubricant) were prepared at a constant die fill volume at different compression pressures. Since Tablettose® could not be tableted without a lubricant due to high friction during ejection, magnesium stearate was included in all formulations. Tablets were evaluated in terms of weight variation, crushing strength, friability and disintegration times. Tablettose® produced tablets with extremely low crushing strengths and high friability compared to Avicel® PH 200, which produced tablets with - acceptable physical properties. The most significant difference between the two formulations was observed in the disintegration times, with the Avicel® tablets producing rapid disintegration whilst Tablettose® produced slowly dissolving rather than disintegrating tablets. These results indicated shortcomings in the properties of Tablettose® as directly compressible filler and suggested possible problems in terms of drug release. Following the results from the previous experiments, the effect of addition of 3.5, 5 and 7% w/w Kollidon® 30 and Kollidon® VA 64 as dry binder (to increase mechanical strength) and 0.5, 1 and 2% w/w Ac-Di-Sol®, Kollidon® CL and sodium starch glycolate as disintegrant (to induce tablet disintegration) on the physical properties of Tablettose® formulations was evaluated in order to eliminate the observed poor physical tablet properties. Although the presence of a dry binder had little effect on the crushing strength of the tablets it did increase the compression range during tableting, thereby increasing the compression force before capping occurred. Kollidon® VA 64 (3.5%) proved to be the most efficient. The incorporation of a disintegrant, irrespective of the type or concentration of the disintegrant, resulted in a significant decrease in disintegration time (1 % of each disintegrant provided efficient disintegration). This was ascribed to a change from slowly dissolving tablets (with disintegration exceeding 15 minutes) to rapidly disintegrating tablets (with disintegration times less than 3 minutes). In the final stage the dissolution of furosemide (chosen as model drug representing sparingly water-soluble drugs for which dissolution is the rate-limiting step) from Avicel®, Tablettose® and Tablettose®/Kollidon® VA 64 and Ac-Di-Sol®, Kollidon® CL or sodium starch glycolate formulations was determined in 0.1 M HCI. Dissolution results were compared using calculated dissolution parameters, namely the initial dissolution rate (DRi) and the extent of dissolution (AUC). Dissolution from the slowly dissolving Tablettose® tablets was significantly slower compared to the rapid disintegrating Avicel® tablets, confirming the hypothesis that slowly dissolving (but non-disintegrating) formulations impede drug dissolution due to the small surfacearea of the drug exposed to the surrounding medium. The incorporation of Kollidon® VA 64 (as dry binder) in Tablettose® formulations resulted in unexpectedly high drug dissolution comparable with profiles obtained from the Avicel® tablets, despite the fact that the tablets did not disintegrate. The literature provided an answer, indicating that Kollidon® VA 64 increased the solubility of furosemide (Buhler, 1993:114), possibly due to the formation of a drug/excipient complex. Addition of a disintegrant to this formulation further increased drug dissolution due to rapid tablet disintegration. Once again no significant difference in drug dissolution was observed between the three disintegrants used. The dissolution results also indicate a dependency of the extent of drug dissolution (AUC) on the initial dissolution rate (DRi), indicating the importance (although not an absolute prerequisite) of establishment of rapid contact between drug particles and the surrounding medium through the incorporation of a disintegrant. / Thesis (M.Sc.(Pharm.))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002

Although disintegration is not always a prerequisite for drug dissolution, this process plays a significant role in the rate and extent of dissolution, especially in the case of sparingly water-soluble drugs (like furosemide). Any factor that influences tablet disintegration, therefore, will influence drug dissolution. Since the filler often comprises more than 80% of the total tablet weight, it will affect tablet properties and therefore disintegration. The solubility of the filler is expected to play a major role in determining tablet disintegration. During the initial stage of the study the physical powder properties (density, particle size, flow properties and compressibility) of Tablettose® (soluble) and Avicel® PH 200 (insoluble) as tablet fillers were determined and compared in order to establish their inherent powder properties. Tablets from mixtures containing each filler and 0.5% w/w magnesium stearate (as lubricant) were prepared at a constant die fill volume at different compression pressures. Since Tablettose® could not be tableted without a lubricant due to high friction during ejection, magnesium stearate was included in all formulations. Tablets were evaluated in terms of weight variation, crushing strength, friability and disintegration times. Tablettose® produced tablets with extremely low crushing strengths and high friability compared to Avicel® PH 200, which produced tablets with - acceptable physical properties. The most significant difference between the two formulations was observed in the disintegration times, with the Avicel® tablets producing rapid disintegration whilst Tablettose® produced slowly dissolving rather than disintegrating tablets. These results indicated shortcomings in the properties of Tablettose® as directly compressible filler and suggested possible problems in terms of drug release. Following the results from the previous experiments, the effect of addition of 3.5, 5 and 7% w/w Kollidon® 30 and Kollidon® VA 64 as dry binder (to increase mechanical strength) and 0.5, 1 and 2% w/w Ac-Di-Sol®, Kollidon® CL and sodium starch glycolate as disintegrant (to induce tablet disintegration) on the physical properties of Tablettose® formulations was evaluated in order to eliminate the observed poor physical tablet properties. Although the presence of a dry binder had little effect on the crushing strength of the tablets it did increase the compression range during tableting, thereby increasing the compression force before capping occurred. Kollidon® VA 64 (3.5%) proved to be the most efficient. The incorporation of a disintegrant, irrespective of the type or concentration of the disintegrant, resulted in a significant decrease in disintegration time (1 % of each disintegrant provided efficient disintegration). This was ascribed to a change from slowly dissolving tablets (with disintegration exceeding 15 minutes) to rapidly disintegrating tablets (with disintegration times less than 3 minutes). In the final stage the dissolution of furosemide (chosen as model drug representing sparingly water-soluble drugs for which dissolution is the rate-limiting step) from Avicel®, Tablettose® and Tablettose®/Kollidon® VA 64 and Ac-Di-Sol®, Kollidon® CL or sodium starch glycolate formulations was determined in 0.1 M HCI. Dissolution results were compared using calculated dissolution parameters, namely the initial dissolution rate (DRi) and the extent of dissolution (AUC). Dissolution from the slowly dissolving Tablettose® tablets was significantly slower compared to the rapid disintegrating Avicel® tablets, confirming the hypothesis that slowly dissolving (but non-disintegrating) formulations impede drug dissolution due to the small surfacearea of the drug exposed to the surrounding medium. The incorporation of Kollidon® VA 64 (as dry binder) in Tablettose® formulations resulted in unexpectedly high drug dissolution comparable with profiles obtained from the Avicel® tablets, despite the fact that the tablets did not disintegrate. The literature provided an answer, indicating that Kollidon® VA 64 increased the solubility of furosemide (Buhler, 1993:114), possibly due to the formation of a drug/excipient complex. Addition of a disintegrant to this formulation further increased drug dissolution due to rapid tablet disintegration. Once again no significant difference in drug dissolution was observed between the three disintegrants used. The dissolution results also indicate a dependency of the extent of drug dissolution (AUC) on the initial dissolution rate (DRi), indicating the importance (although not an absolute prerequisite) of establishment of rapid contact between drug particles and the surrounding medium through the incorporation of a disintegrant. / Thesis (M.Sc.(Pharm.))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002

When considering oral administration, drug release from its pharmaceutical form and its dissolution into gastrointestinal fluids generally precedes absorption and systemic availability. The solubility-dissolution behaviour of a drug is frequently the rate-limiting step to absorption of drugs from the gastrointestinal tract (BCS class II drugs). Poor aqueous solubility has always been a very challenging obstacle as it is, together with membrane permeability, an essential factor in the limitation of a drug’s bioavailability following oral administration. Since an increasing number of newly developed drug candidates in pre-clinical development phases present poor water-solubility characteristics, there is a great need for formulation approaches to overcome this factor. Out of the many ways to increase a product’s solubility/dissolution rate characteristics with the aim of enhancing its oral bioavailability, drug formulation as nanoparticles has received much-increased interest over the last decade. The hypothesis behind dissolution rate enhancement, considering drug particle size reduction to nanometer range, lies primarily in a much-increased effective surface area (Noyes-Whitney) presented by the resulting drug nanoparticles. Out of the various technologies available for drug particle size reduction to nanometer range, milling using high pressure homogenization is regarded as one of the simplest and most effective techniques. High pressure homogenization is a solvent-free process and is relatively rapid (time-saving). Furthermore, and most importantly, the scaling up of this technique is already established; processing capacities ranging from 3 l/h (e.g. EmulsiFlex C3®: minimum sample volume - 10 ml) to 1000 l/h (e.g. EmulsiFlex C1000®: minimum sample volume - 2 l). Four model drugs were studied in this work. Nifedipine (NIF), an extensively studied poorly water-soluble drug in the literature, was used as the main model on which most of the development was done. In parallel to the work carried out on NIF, three UCB S.A. molecules currently under development were also studied as poorly water-soluble drugs: these being ucb-35440-3, UCB-A and UCB-B (salt of UCB-A). These three UCB S.A. model drugs are, contrarily to NIF, predicted highly dosed drugs and are weak bases, and thus present pH-dependent solubility profiles, which allowed us to investigate model drugs with different profiles. Firstly, investigations regarding appropriate formulation development (stabilizer (surfactant) selection) and appropriate high pressure homogenization operating conditions (pre-milling cycles, influence of the number of high pressure homogenizing cycles, influence of homogenizing pressure, influence of sample temperature) were made. It has been shown, through this development, for the four studied model drugs, that high pressure homogenization is an appropriate technique for reducing drug particle size to nanometer range (NIF  290 nm, ucb-35440-3  180 nm, UCB-A  350 nm and UCB-B  250 nm). Investigations regarding water-removal from the nanosuspensions obtained and most importantly regarding the redispersion characteristics of the retrieved powders (i.e. nanoparticles) were then carried out. In that regard, it has been shown that the presence of carriers in the formulation is essential for limiting nanoparticles agglomeration during the water-removal operation. Drug crystalline state characterizations before and following particle size reduction were then carried out on the three studied model drugs, mainly through DSC and PXRD studies. In fact, one of the advantages of this particle size reduction approach (using high pressure homogenization), versus other frequently studied solubility/dissolution rate enhancement technologies (e.g. such as solid dispersions), is that original crystalline state shall not be altered in such a way that the achieved increased solubility and dissolution rate characteristics do not rely on the presence of the amorphous form of the drug; this furthermore implying a greater time-stability of the developed formulations. Through the data obtained, it has been shown that original drug crystalline state seems to be unaltered following particle size reduction. In vitro solubility and dissolution characteristics were then evaluated on the formulations developed in order to verify the posed hypothesis regarding effective surface area increase. It has been shown through these studies that drug solubility and most importantly drug dissolution rate can be significantly enhanced for nanoparticulate systems (verified for NIF, ucb-35440-3, UCB-A and UCB-B). For example, solubility was enhanced from 26 µg/ml vs. 19.5 µg/ml for NIF nanoparticles and the dissolution characteristics showed that 100% of the tested dose (equivalent to 10 mg NIF) was already dissolved following 10 min vs. less than 5% for un-milled NIF. Following these very interesting and promising results, and preliminary to the in vivo pharmacokinetic studies carried out, in vitro permeation studies (apical to basolateral transfer studies) across intestinal cell models (Caco-2 and HT29-5M21 cultures and co-cultures) were carried out. This evaluation was only carried out using NIF as a model drug and showed a 6-fold increase in the permeation rate for NIF nanoparticles. The influence of chitosan (permeability enhancer/bioadhesive polymer) in the NIF nanoparticle formulation with regard to in vitro NIF permeation rate was also evaluated. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies in rats were conducted using NIF and ucb-35440-3 as model drugs. The very different profiles of these two model drugs allowed us to retrieve interesting information regarding the in vivo behaviour of the developed formulations. As expected from the in vitro (i.e. solubility/dissolution/permeation) studies and results obtained for NIF, an increased extent of exposure could be observed for NIF nanoparticles versus un-milled NIF; the difference being more pronounced when the formulations were orally administered into capsules (2.5-fold increase in extent of exposure and 6-fold increase in Cmax). For ucb-35440-3, a poorly water-soluble weak base with a reported significant food effect considering oral bioavailability, an increased extent of exposure for nanoparticles, versus the un-milled drug, could only be observed in fasted state (4-fold increase in extent of exposure and 2.7-fold increase in Cmax). These different, diet-relative observations allowed us to put forward some limitations and precautions (considering poorly water-soluble weak bases) relative to the possibility of drug reprecipitation following stomach’s exiting, particularly if dissolution in the stomach is quite fast (e.g. nanoparticulate systems). In parallel to the in vivo pharmacokinetic evaluation of NIF nanoparticles, evaluation of the antihypertensive effect of the systems developed following oral administration, using spontaneously hypertensive rats, was also carried out and compared to un-millled NIF. The results obtained showed a significant drop in systolic blood pressure for NIF nanoparticles (32% reduction of initial SBP following 30 min vs. 1% for un-milled NIF) and nicely complemented the in vitro and in vivo results obtained for NIF nanoparticles. Finally, a stability study of the optimized NIF nanoparticle formulation was carried out with respect to reported ICH conditions (25°C/60% RH; 30°C/65% RH; 40°C/75% RH). The results showed that the studied NIF nanoparticle formulation retains all its original characteristics (dissolution, crystalline state, redispersion characteristics); this being verified over time (12 months) and for each of the three storage conditions studied.

A high speed stirring apparatus was constructed for following the kinetics of metal ion extraction by chelating agents. The semi-automated system is capable of measuring reactions with half lives of 20 seconds or more with data being collected every second. Experimental data obtained with the device are superior to those collected by batch shakers, fixed interface cells, falling drop, or other stirring devices. The use of a microporous Teflon membrane phase separator along with the thermodynamic relation, the Gibbs Equation, enabled the measurement of drop sizes in a two phase liquid-liquid dispersion. This allowed the determination of the quantity of interfacial area as a function of stir rate. The effect of interfacial area on the rate of extraction of five different chelating agents with various divalent metal ions was determined in this study. The role of the interfacial area in extraction kinetics was found in a system where diffusional effects are negligible. This information provides an answer to the question of whether the rate determining step of extraction occurs in either the bulk aqueous phase or in the interfacial region. The proportionality between rate and specific interfacial area was employed to find the magnitude of the contributions of the bulk and interfacial components and also allowed the calculation of the individual rate constants. Evaluation of the bulk and interfacial rate constants yields important fundamental information as to the chemical nature and differences between the chloroform/water interface and the bulk aqueous phase. The results appear to illustrate that the interface is a more conducive medium for reaction between metal and ligand than the aqueous phase. The role of foreign species, namely nonionic surfactants, on the rate of extraction was investigated to explore their applicability in solvent extraction. Nonionic surfactants were found to enhance the rates of extraction to different extents in different metal systems.

The phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) has resulted in an expanding new area of research in alternative ozone friendly propellants, for example hydrofluoroalkanes (HFAs). The HFA solvent system is unique in that many CFC soluble compounds behave differently in the HFA alternatives, such as HFA-134a and HFA-227. The reason for the difference in solubility is not fully recognized. This work investigates the solubility of 22 compounds in HFA-227 with the addition of ethanol as a cosolvent. The physical properties of both solute and solvent were investigated in order to determine the effects on solubility. The solubilities of 5 compounds in HFA-134a were also investigated. A thermodynamic approach was utilized in order to look at the enthalpic and entropic effects on solubility in the propellant. Due to the high vapor pressure of propellants, a liquid model was utilized, owing to its ease of use in characterizing solubility. The correlation between the liquid model 2H,3H-decafluoropentane (DFP) and the propellants HFA-134a and HFA-227 was examined.The solubilities in HFA-227 with ethanol ranged from 0.001 to 3.282 %w/w, where the solubilities always increase when ethanol was added. The experimental solubilities were compared to calculated values obtained from ideal solubility and regular solution theory models. A clear correlation with the ideal solubility (melting point) combined with an intercept term and two physical properties was noted. A regression approach was also used to predict the activity coefficient in HFA-227 with 0 - 20% ethanol. These equations were combined with the extended ideal solubility equation, creating a useful predictive equation with AAE values ranging from 0.32 to 0.36, or factor errors of 2.09 to 2.29. The equations shown in this work are useful for the prediction of solute solubility in HFA-227/ethanol mixtures.Results in the liquid model DFP with 0 - 20% ethanol show that a regression equation results in a useful predictive equation for the solubilities in both HFA-134/ethanol and HFA-227/ethanol systems, where the AAE values ranged from 0.3 to 0.56, or factor errors of 2.0 to 3.6.The solubilities of a series of chlorobenzene compounds along with a group of hydrogen donating and/or accepting compounds was examined in HFA-134a. The entropic effects appear to be the limiting factor in the solubility of these compounds. The compounds capable of hydrogen accepting and donating exhibited negative enthalpy of mixing values when placed in HFA-134a, a stark contrast to the values obtained for the chlorobenzenes. This suggests HFA-134a is able to strongly interact with solutes capable of donating or accepting hydrogen.

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