The
present study aims to investigate the molecular basis of water sorption
behavior of rivaroxaban-malonic acid cocrystal (RIV-MAL). It was hypothesized,
that the amount of water sorbed by a crystalline solid is governed
by the surface molecular environment of different crystal facets and
their relative abundance to crystal surface. Water sorption behavior
was measured using a dynamic vapor sorption analyzer. The surface
molecular environment of different crystal facets and their relative
contribution were determined using single crystal structure evaluation
and face indexation analysis, respectively. The surface area-normalized
water sorption for rivaroxaban (RIV), malonic acid (MAL), and RIV-MAL
at 90% RH/25 °C was 0.28, 92.6, and 11.1% w/w, respectively.
The crystal surface of MAL had a larger contribution (58.7%) of hydrophilic
(Hphi) functional groups and showed the “highest” water
sorption (92.6% w/w). On the contrary, RIV had a larger surface contribution
(65.2%) of hydrophobic (Hpho) functional groups, and the smaller contribution
(34.8%) of Hphi+Hpho groups exhibited the “lowest” water
sorption (0.28% w/w). The “intermediate” water sorption
(11.1% w/w) by RIV-MAL, as compared to RIV, was ascribed to the increased
surface contribution of Hphi+Hpho groups (from 34.8 to 42.1%) and
reduced hydrophobic surface contribution (from 65.2 to 57.9%). However,
the significantly higher water gained (∼39-fold) by the cocrystal
as compared to RIV, despite the nominal change in the surface contributions,
was further attributed to the relatively stronger hydrogen bonding
interactions between the surface-exposed carboxyl groups and water
molecules. The study highlights that the amount of water sorbed by
the cocrystal is governed by the surface molecular environment and
additionally by the strength of hydrogen bonding. This investigation
has implications on designing materials with a desired moisture-sorption
property.