A new crystalline form of β-d-lactose prepared by oven drying a concentrated aqueous solution of d-lactose Nicholls Daniel

Abstract

A new crystalline form of β-d-lactose (C12H22O11) has been prepared by the rapid drying of an approximately 40% w/v syrup of d-lactose. Initially identified from its novel powder X-ray diffraction pattern, the monoclinic crystal structure was solved from a microcrystal recovered from the generally polycrystalline mixed-phase residue obtained at the end of the drying step. This is the second crystalline form of β-d-lactose to be identified and it has a high degree of structural three-dimensional similarity to the previously identified triclinic form.