Reduced Coenzyme Q10 Form II Crystal Production via Solvent Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing reduced coenzyme Q10 Form II crystals are inefficient, requiring long times, low yields, or specialized facilities due to the need for precise control of shear force and heat, and result in unstable crystals with low melting points.
Innovation Solution
A method involving warming a mixture of reduced coenzyme Q10 Form I and Form II crystals in the presence of a small amount of solvent, such as ethanol, to 32° C. or higher, with controlled warming times and subsequent drying at 45° C. or higher to increase the content rate of Form II crystals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the crystal transition method involving addition of shear force and heat is used, then the Form II crystal can be obtained, but it requires dedicated special facility and strict control to prevent melting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shear force system with a chemical system using solvent-mediated transition. Instead of applying mechanical stress to induce crystal transition, the invention uses specific solvents (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid) that facilitate the transformation from Form I to Form II through chemical interaction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control facilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters by introducing specific solvents (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid) and controlling their ratios. This chemical parameter change enables crystal transition without requiring mechanical stress parameters, simplifying the facility requirements while maintaining reliable Form II crystal production.
2Reliability
If the crystal transition method involving addition of shear force and heat is used, then the Form II crystal can be obtained, but it requires strict control of heat to prevent melting due to low melting point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal-mechanical transition with chemical solvent-mediated transition. By using formic acid, acetic acid, or propionic acid as transition agents, the crystal transformation occurs through chemical interaction rather than thermal-mechanical stress, eliminating the need for strict temperature control and preventing melting issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solvent intermediaries (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid) that mediate the crystal transition process. These solvents act as intermediaries between Form I and Form II, facilitating the transition through chemical interaction without requiring extreme temperature conditions that could cause melting.
3Productivity
If conventional crystallization method is used, then reduced coenzyme Q10 can be obtained, but the content rate of Form II crystal is low and production time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes chemical parameters by specifying precise solvent ratios (formic acid 1-10 parts, acetic acid 1-10 parts, or propionic acid 1-10 parts per 100 parts of reduced coenzyme Q10) and temperature ranges (20-50°C). These parameter optimizations enable rapid and high-yield conversion to Form II crystal, achieving both high productivity and high manufacturing precision with Form II content rates of 90% or more.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the production of stable reduced coenzyme Q10 Form II crystals in a simple facility with improved yield and stability, overcoming the limitations of existing methods by enhancing the content rate and melting point of the crystals.
Implementation Method 1
Patent Literature 4 reports that crystal polymorphism is found in reduced coenzyme Q10. It also reports that a novel crystal form that is different from those of the above-described publications is obtained.
Implementation Method 2
Patent Literature 5 reports that a carboxylic acid derivative that is totally different from coenzyme Q undergoes a polymorphic change due to solvent-mediated transition.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a production method capable of efficiently producing a reduced coenzyme Q10 Form II crystal. A method for producing reduced coenzyme Q10 crystals comprises warming a mixture of a reduced coenzyme Q10 Form I crystal and a reduced coenzyme Q10 Form II crystal to 32° C. or higher, in the presence of 0.001 to 50 parts by weight of a solvent with respect to 100 parts by total weight of the crystals, so as to increase the content of the reduced coenzyme Q10 Form II crystal. The warming time may be 1 hour or more and less than 14 hours, and after the warming of the mixture in the presence of the solvent, drying may be performed at 45° C. or higher to remove the solvent.