Strategy of selecting solvent systems for spherical agglomeration by the Lifshitz-van der Waals acid-base approach

Abstract A strategy for rationally selecting solvent systems of spherical agglomeration is proposed for the first time. It emphasizes that followed by crystallization and phase separation, spherical agglomeration can be achieved only when the solvent system can induce wetting and adhesion which are estimated by the Lifshitz-van der Waals acid-base approach. Especially for wettability of bridging liquid, solvent and anti-solvent, the strategy indicates that it is of great importance for a successful solvent system. Valid systems therefore are selected in the first place while invalid ones are removed effectively according to the wettability difference. Based on the strategy, valid solvent systems for cefotaxime sodium and benzoic acid spherical agglomeration were selected successfully from 720 and 2184 systems respectively without missing the reported systems. The strategy also predicted no valid systems for potassium chloride, maltitol and trisodium phosphate in the given solvent combinations, which agreed with the experiment results.