Sorbitol, process for its preparation, and use thereof

US4605794A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Merck Patent GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Friedrich Reiff · Seeheim-Jugenheim, DE
• Hartmut Hartner · Weiterstadt, DE
• Arno Basedow · Bad Vilbel, DE
• Hans-Wolfgang Hugenbusch · Kelsterbach, DE
• Peter C. Schmidt · Leverkusen, DE
• Hans Bardonner · Bad König, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 23, 1985
• Grant date: Aug 12, 1986
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2005

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C31/24
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A modified sorbitol with improved tableting properties, viz, has a melting point of about 96.degree. C., a bulk density of 0.3-0.6 g/ml, a .gamma.-sorbitol content of at least 90%, a purity of at least 98%, a specific surface area of 0.7-1.5 m.sup.2 /g, a bending strength of at least 7 N/mm.sup.2 at a compressive force of at least 10,000 N, and a friability of less than 1% at a compressive force of at least 10,000 N, can be prepared by obtaining a sorbitol solution by hydrogenation of crystallized glucose at a temperature below 170.degree. C., and spray-drying this solution at a temperature of 140.degree. to 170.degree. C. The sorbitol thus obtained has a water content of less than 1%. The sorbitol is useful for the production of compressed formulations.