Insight into the solution thermodynamic properties of cimetidine form A and form B based on experiments and molecular simulations

Cimetidine (CIM) is an antagonist of the type II histamine receptors, and act as a significant agent in the treatment of stomach ulcers. In this work, the effect of polymorphism and solvent type on the thermodynamic properties of CIM was investigated based on experimental results and molecular simulations. The solubility data of two polymorphs for CIM (forms A and B) in organic solvents were measured and correlated with four thermodynamic models. It could be found that the solubility of CIM form A is higher compared to form B. In addition, molecular simulations were adopted to investigate the mechanism of the solubility and stability of the two forms. Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that strong H···N interaction contributes to better stability of form B. Meanwhile, molecular electrostatic potential surface and radial distribution function results indicate that the solubility behavior is significantly influenced by the intensity of the solute–solvent interactions. Finally, the dissolution thermodynamic properties, including the enthalpy change, the Gibbs energy change, and the entropy change, were calculated and the results show that the dissolution process of CIM is endothermic, entropy-driven and spontaneous.