Therefore, the solvates are useful as intermediates for preparing pure aripiprazole or aripiprazole hydrates in any crystalline form.
Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide stable, non-hygroscopic crystalline form of aripiprazole, process for preparing this form and pharmaceutical compositions containing it.
Another object of the present invention is to provide aripiprazole methanolate and aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate and process for preparing the solvates; and use of these solvates to prepare other forms of aripiprazole.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of aripiprazole. The crystalline form is designated as aripiprazole fonn III and typical form III x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole form III is shown in figure 1.
Aripiprazole form III is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 28 angle positions at about 8.8, 11.2, 11.4. 11,9. 13.6, 14.4, 15.0, 15.9. 16.4, 17.8. 18.7. 20.4. 20.8. 21.4. 22.2. 23.5. 25.0. 25.9 and 26.5 degrees.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for preparation of the aripiprazole form III comprising the steps of:
a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in a mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran; and
b) isolating aripiprazole form III from the solution.
Aripiprazole used in the process can be in any of the crystalline forms. Aripiprazole solvate or hydrate form can also be used in the process to produce aripiprazole form III.
The solution of aripiprazole is usually prepared at elevated temperature, preferably at reflux temperature and then the solution is cooled preferably to 0°C to 30°C, more preferably to 15°C to 30°C. The precipitated form III crystals are collected by filtration or centrifugation.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided aripiprazole methanolate. The content of methanol is between about 2 to 6% of the weight of aripiprazole methanolate. Aripiprazole methanolate typically shows a crystalline

form, which is designated as aripiprazole methanolate form IV and typical form IV x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole methanolate form IV is shown in figure 2.
Aripiprazole methanolate form IV is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 26 angle positions at about 9.8, 11.0, 11.8, 12.1. 12.6, 13.6. 17.4. 18.8, 20.1. 23.3. 24.6. 25.0. 25.9. 27.2, 28.4, 29.3. 30.1 and 31.5 degrees.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for preparation of the aripiprazole methanolate form IV comprising the steps of:
a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran; and
b) isolating aripiprazole methanolate form IV from the solution.
The solution of aripiprazole is usually prepared at elevated temperature, preferably at reflux temperature and then the solution is cooled preferably to 0°C to 30°C. The precipitated form IV crystals are collected by filtration or centrifugation.
Aripiprazole methanolate can be used to prepare aripiprazole forms by crystallizing from the appropriate solvent system. Thus, for example aripiprazole form III can be prepared by preparing a solution of aripiprazole methanolate in a mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran and isolating aripiprazole form III from the solution.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate. The content of ethylenedichloride is between about 15 to 40% of the weight of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate. Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate typically shows a crystalline form, which is designated as aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V and the typical form V x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V is shown in figure 3.
Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 29 angle positions at about 10.7, 17.6, 17.8. 20.6. 22.1. 23.4. 24.7 and 26.4 degrees.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a process for preparation of the Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V comprising the steps of:

a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in ethylenedichloride and
b) isolating aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V from the solution.
The solution of aripiprazole is usually prepared at elevated temperature, preferably at reflux temperature and then the solution is cooled preferably to O°C to 30°C. The precipitated form V crystals are collected by filtration or centrifugation.
Aripiprazole aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate can be used to prepare aripiprazole forms by crystallizing from the appropriate solvent system. Thus, for example aripiprazole fomi III can be prepared by preparing a solution of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride in a mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran and isolating aripiprazole form III from the solution.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising aripiprazole form III and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole form III.
Figure 2 is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole methanolate form IV.
Figure 3 is a x-ray powder diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V.
x-Ray powder diffraction spectrum was measured on a Bruker axs D8 advance x-ray powder diffractometer having a copper-Ka radiation.
The invention will now be further described by the following examples, which are illustrative rather than limiting.
Example 1
Aripiprazole (3 gm) is mixed with methyl tert-butyl ether (25 ml) and
heated to reflux temperature. Then acetonitrile (45 ml) and tetrahydrofuran (25
ml) are added to the mixture and heated to about 55°C to form a clear solution.
The solution is slowly cooled to 25°C stirred for 1 hour at about 25°C and the

v..
precipitated crystals are collected by filtration to give 2 gm of aripiprazoTe form III.
Example 2 Aripiprazole (3 gm), obtained by a known method is mixed with methanol (30 ml) and heated to reflux temperature. Then tetrahydrofuran (25 ml) is added at the same temperature to form a clear solution. The solution is slowly cooled to about 25°C. stirred for 1 hour at about 25°C and the separated crystals are collected by filtration to give 2.9 gm of aripiprazole methanolate form IV.
Example 3 Example 1 is repeated using aripiprazole methanolate obtained as in example 2 instead of aripiprazole to give aripiprazole fomi III.
Example 4 Aripiprazole (3 gm) is mixed with ethylenedichloride (30 ml) and heated to 50°C to form a clear solution. The solution is slowly cooled to 25°C, stirred for 1 hour at about 25°C and the separated crystals are collected by filtration to give 2.5 gm of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V.
Example 5 Example 1 is repeated using aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate obtained as in example 4 instead of aripiprazole to give aripiprazole form III.

We claim:
1) A crystalline aripiprazole form III. characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 26 at about 8.8, 11.2, 11.4, 11.9. 13.6. 14.4. 15.0. 15.9. 16.4. 17.8. 18.7. 20.4. 20.8, 21.4. 22.2. 23.5. 25.0, 25.9 and 26.5 degrees.
2) A crystalline aripiprazole form III as defined in claim 1, further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum as in figure 1.
3) A process for preparation of aripiprazole form III as defined in claim 1. which comprises the steps of:

a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in a mixture of methyl tert-butyl ether, acetonitrile and tetrahydrofuran; and
b) isolating aripiprazole form III from the solution.

4) Aripiprazole methanolate.
5) Aripiprazole methanolate of claim 4. wherein methanol content is between about 2 to 6% of the weight of aripiprazole methanolate.
6) A crystalline aripiprazole methanolate form IV. characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 26 at about 9.8. 11.0. 11.8. 12.1. 12.6, 13.6. 17.4. 18.8. 20.1, 23.3. 24.6. 25.0. 25.9. 27.2. 28.4. 29.3. 30.1 and 31.5 degrees.
7) A crystalline aripiprazole methanolate form IV as defined in claim 6. further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum as in figure 2.
8) A process for preparation of aripiprazole methanolate as defined in claim 4. which comprises the steps of:

a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in a mixture of methanol and tetrahydrofuran; and
b) isolating aripiprazole methanolate from the solution.

9) A process according to claim 8. wherein the product obtained is aripiprazole methanolate.
10) A process according to claim 3. wherein aripiprazole is used in the form of Aripiprazole methanolate.
11) Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate.
12) Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate of claim 11, wherein ethylenedichloride content is between about 15 to 40% of the weight of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate.

13) A crystalline aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 26 at about 10.7.17.6.17.8. 20.6. 22.1. 23.4. 24.7 and 26.4 degrees.
14) A crystalline aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate form V as defined in claim 13. further characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum as in figure 3.
15) A process for preparation of aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate as defined in claim 11, which comprises the steps of:

a) preparing a solution of aripiprazole in ethylenedichloride; and
b) isolating aripiprazole ethylenedichloride solvate from the solution.

16) A process according to claim 15, wherein the product obtained is aripiprazole ethylenedichloride form V.
17) A process according to claim 3. wherein aripiprazole used is in the form of Aripiprazole ethylenedichloride.
18) A pharmaceutical composition comprising aripiprazole form III of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.