1. What Is Partition Coefficient?

Partition Coefficient (P) is a measure of how a solute distributes itself between two immiscible solvents, typically organic and aqueous phases. It is defined as the ratio of the concentration of the solute in the organic phase to its concentration in the aqueous phase at equilibrium.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Partition Coefficient equation:

Where:

• \( [Solute]_{org} \) — Concentration of solute in organic phase (mol/L)
• \( [Solute]_{aq} \) — Concentration of solute in aqueous phase (mol/L)

Explanation: The equation quantifies the distribution of a solute between two phases, with higher values indicating greater preference for the organic phase.

3. Importance Of Partition Coefficient

Details: Partition coefficient is crucial in pharmaceuticals for drug design, in environmental science for assessing pollutant behavior, and in chemistry for extraction processes. It helps predict solubility, bioavailability, and environmental fate of compounds.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter concentrations in mol/L for both organic and aqueous phases. Ensure values are positive, with aqueous concentration greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high partition coefficient indicate?
A: A high P value indicates that the solute has greater solubility in the organic phase compared to the aqueous phase.

Q2: How is partition coefficient related to lipophilicity?
A: Partition coefficient is a direct measure of lipophilicity - compounds with higher P values are more lipophilic.

Q3: What are typical units for partition coefficient?
A: Partition coefficient is dimensionless since it's a ratio of concentrations with the same units.

Q4: How does temperature affect partition coefficient?
A: Temperature can significantly affect P values as solubility in both phases changes with temperature.

Q5: What's the difference between partition coefficient and distribution coefficient?
A: Partition coefficient refers to a single species, while distribution coefficient accounts for all forms of a compound (including ionized forms).