Process for improving flow characteristics of crystalline ibuprofen

摘要

A process for producing crystalline ibuprofen having a crystal habit characterized by a particle length larger than 75 microns average and a length to width aspect ratio of greater than about 4 to 1 to about 5 to 1. The process involves crystallizing ibuprofen from a saturated solution of ibuprofen in a liquid hydrocarbon solvent by seeding and cooling such solution to a temperature of about 0 DEG C. to about -20 DEG C. at a rate to retard primary nucleation and promote secondary nucleation. The crystalline ibuprofen is separated from the slurry produced from such cooling.