Synthesis and crystal structure of lithium alendronate

Abstract

A new monovalent metal alendronate [Li(H₄L)(H₂O)₂] [H₅L = H₂N(CH₂)₃C(OH)(PO₃H₂)₂] (1) has been synthesized from lithium carbonate and alendronic acid and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as well as infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electrospray mass spectrometry. Compound 1 is monomeric, and the four coordinate Li ion is coordinated by one oxygen of each phosphonate group and two waters in a distorted tetrahedral array. Extensive hydrogen bonding links each complex molecule to 10 others giving a 3-D supramolecular network.

Keywords:

• Lithium
• Alendronate
• Crystal structure
• Diphosphonate complexes

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the Australian Research Council for funding and the Science Faculty, Monash University for provision of a student scholarship (NBG).