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Trituration is the name of several different methods of processing materials. Trituration is also the name of the process for reducing the particle size of a substance by grinding, as by grinding of powders in a mortar with a pestle. Trituration additionally refers to the production of a homogeneous material through mixing. For example, dental amalgam is formed by combining particles of an alloy with mercury.

[edit] Overview

In organic chemistry, trituration is a process used to purify crude chemical compounds containing solid impurities. A solvent is chosen in which the desired product is insoluble and the undesired by-products are very soluble (or the other way around). The crude material is washed with the solvent and filtered away, leaving the purified product in solid form and any impurities in solution.

In Pharmacology, trituration can also refer to the process of grinding one compound into another to dilute one of the ingredients, add volume for processing and handling, or to mask undesirable qualities. For example, acetylsalicylic acid is a common active used for many pharmacological reasons ranging from pain relief to blood thinning. It is effective at about 500 milligrams in the body. Since 500 mg is too small to handle, market or consume, the ASA is triturated with a nonactive bioavailable carrier solid before a pill is made.

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