Structure Elucidation and Characterization of Different Thyroxine Polymorphs

Abstract

Thyroid hormones regulate almost every process in the body, including body temperature, growth, and heart rate. They influence carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis and breakdown, and cardiovascular, renal, and brain function. Two new polymorphs of synthetic L-thyroxine (T4) are reported and the effect of polymorphism on the solubility of this important hormone is shown. Conformational changes were also discovered to have a remarkable effect on the strength of halogen bonding and the reactivity of the C-I bonds, which could have a significant effect on the hormone activity.

Keywords: halogen bonding; iodine; metabolism; polymorphism; thyroxine.