Nondestructive Multicomponent Terahertz Chemical Imaging of Medicine in Tablets

Abstract

Molecular networks based on noncovalent bonds have resonant frequencies in the terahertz (THz) region. THz spectroscopy is a powerful tool for identifying molecular bonds, such as intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonds, in pharmaceuticals. A THz chemical imaging (TCI) system was developed by combining a THz time-domain spectrometer with a translational stage to obtain two-dimensional distributions of molecular networks in tablet samples. Since THz spectral peaks of pharmaceuticals are broad at room temperature, multicomponent chemical analysis with the TCI system has some limitations. In this paper, we describe multicomponent chemical analysis of pharmaceuticals using a sample chamber cooled by a cryostat. TCI measurement at low temperature sharpens spectral peaks and/or shifts peak frequencies, enabling us to determine the distribution of several kinds of pharmaceuticals in a tablet. The TCI system provides THz images of polymorphic form distribution of famotidine binding with D-mannitol in an over-the-counter pharmaceutical tablet. Furthermore, the molecular mechanics method was used to determine the vibrational modes of the peaks in the spectra of famotidine polymorphic forms.