Drug Mimetic Organogelators for the Control of Concomitant Crystallization of Barbital and Thalidomide

Abstract

A strategic approach to control the polymorphism of two related drugs by introducing a drug-mimetic imide functional group into the molecular weight organogelator structure is presented. This was achieved with novel aminoglutethimide-derived bis(urea) organogelators designed to form gels that act as targeted crystallization media for (±)-thalidomide and barbital. The organogelators prevent concomitant crystallization, a serious issue for drug formulation and development. This work demonstrates the potential to control concomitant crystallization with rationally designed supramolecular gelators.