Thermal behavior and thermodynamic properties of berberine hydrochloride

The low-temperature heat capacities of berberine hydrochloride were measured over the temperature range from 78 to 350 K by an adiabatic calorimeter. The thermodynamic functions H T − H 298.15 and S T − S 298.15 were derived from the heat capacity data. The results showed that the structure of berberine hydrochloride was stable over the temperature range from 78 to 350 K. The thermal stability of the compound was further tested by DSC and TG measurements. The results were in agreement with those obtained from adiabatic calorimetry experiment. The standard molar enthalpy of formation in the crystalline state of berberine hydrochloride was obtained from the standard molar energies of combustion in oxygen at T = 298.15 K, measured by a rotating-bomb combustion calorimeter.