THE SOLUBILITY OF PACLITAXEL IN SUPERCRITICAL CO2 AND N2O

The solubilities of paclitaxel in supercritical carbon dioxide and nit rous oxide were measured to identify the optimum conditions for extrac tion and to verify the thermal stability of the drug under supercritic al conditions. The solubility in carbon dioxide was measured at 311.1, 322.2 and 328.9 K and over a pressure range of 14.12-34.62 MPa, where as that in nitrous oxide was measured at 326.2 K and over a pressure r ange of 14.03-27.72 MPa. Paclitaxel was found to be more soluble in ni trous oxide than in carbon dioxide, although the solubilities in both cases were very low and ranged from 1.1 x 10(-6)-7.4 x 10(-6) mole fra ction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.