Abstract: Solid dispersions of dicarboxylic acid norcantharidin in chitosan were prepared using the spray drying method. The UV, IR, ¹H NMR and MS spectra of cantharidin, norcantharidin, sodium demethylcantharidate and solid dispersions of dicarboxylic acid norcantharidin in chitosan were obtained to characterize the raw materials and the products. The results showed that UV, IR, ¹H NMR and MS spectroscopy can be used to elucidate the structures of cantharidin and its derivatives, and may play important roles in the production of solid dispersions of dicarboxylic acid norcantharidin in chitosan using the spray drying method.

Key words: cantharidin derivatives, UV, IR, ¹H NMR, MS