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Separation of hydrocortisone and epi‐hydrocortisone by solvent extraction
Author(s) -
Tang Zhigang,
Hu Xien,
Zhu Yongjun
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of chemical technology and biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.64
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1097-4660
pISSN - 0268-2575
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4660(199711)70:3<287::aid-jctb761>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - chloroform , hydrocortisone acetate , hydrocortisone , chemistry , extraction (chemistry) , solvent , chromatography , crystallization , ethyl acetate , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Solvent extraction, instead of traditional crystallization, is suggested as a new method for separation of hydrocortisone and its optical isomer, epi‐hydrocortisone. The extraction behavior of alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers and chlorinated hydrocarbons was studied experimentally. For the industrial separation process it was found that the best solvents are n ‐butyl acetate or chloroform. The distribution coefficients of hydrocortisone and epi‐hydrocortisone in an n ‐butyl acetate/water system at 17°C were found to be 9·98 and 2·62, respectively, and 5·57 and 1·93, respectively, in a chloroform/water system at 17°C. When n ‐butyl acetate or chloroform solution of crude hydrocortisone (the mixture of hydrocortisone, epi‐hydrocortisone and other steroid impurities) was scrubbed by deionized water in a nine‐stage cross‐current at 25°C, the organic phase hydrocortisone purity increased from 78·10% to 98·22% (wt%) for the n ‐butyl acetate case and from 78·10% to 98·02% (wt%) for the chloroform case. The medicinal standard for hydrocortisone was attained. The effects of alcohol concentration, temperature, salting‐out and pH on extraction are also discussed. ©1997 SCI