Solid phase transition of CS-891 enantiotropes during grinding

The physical properties of N-[1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl]-3-oxo-4-aza-5a-androst-1-ene-17beta-carboxamide (CS-891), a novel and orally effective testosterone 5-reductase inhibitor, were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction at elevated temperature and single crystal X-ray crystallography. CS-891 was revealed to exist as two enantiotropic forms, a low-temperature stable form (Form A) and a high-temperature stable form (Form B) which reversibly transforms to Form A at around 58 degrees C. The effect of grinding temperature on the transition of CS-891 between the amorphous and the crystalline state during grinding of the eantiotropes was examined. Form A transformed into an amorphous form during the grinding process while the product temperature was kept below the transition temperature. On the other hand, when the product temperature during grinding reached above the transition temperature, Form A transformed into an amorphous form and some of the amorphous form converted back to Form B. Form B crystallized from the amorphous form was physically stable even at below the transition temperature. The amorphous form in equilibrium with Form B exhibited remarkable physical stability in comparison with the amorphous form obtained by continued grinding below the transition temperature.