Amygdalin is an effective
component of the traditional Chinese
medicine bitter almond, peach kernel, and plum kernel. It has pharmacological
effects, such as relieving cough and asthma. In a study of the crystallization
process, we found a series of solvatomorphs of amygdalin (including
hydrate). Interestingly, in the structures of these solvatomorphs,
the same characteristic structural fragment is present, that is, amygdalin
dihydrate. Multiple analytical techniques were used to characterize
the solvatomorphs, such as X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry–mass
spectrometry. Void calculations of water and solvent were used to
analyze the occupied volume in the unit cell of the corresponding
solvatomorphs to explain the formation mechanism of the solvatomorphs
from the perspective of space. To elucidate the formation mechanism
of the solvatomorphs with this kind of characteristic structure from
the perspective of energy, theoretical calculations based on density
functional theory were applied, such as energy decomposition and molecular
electrostatic potential surfaces. In addition, the transformation
phenomenon between these solvatomorphs and amygdalin was identified,
and the transformation pathways are described in detail.
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