Partition coefficient
Partition Coefficient
The Partition Coefficient (pronounced: pahr-tish-un koh-uh-fish-uhnt), also known as the Distribution Coefficient, is a measure of how a chemical compound distributes itself between two immiscible phases at equilibrium. This term is often used in the fields of Chemistry, Pharmacology, and Environmental Science.
Etymology
The term "Partition Coefficient" is derived from the word "partition", which means to divide something into parts, and "coefficient", which is a numerical or constant quantity placed before and multiplying the variable in an algebraic expression.
Definition
The Partition Coefficient, denoted by the symbol P, is defined as the ratio of concentrations of a compound in a mixture of two immiscible phases at equilibrium. This ratio is therefore a measure of differential solubility of the compound in these two phases.
Calculation
The Partition Coefficient is calculated using the formula:
P = [A]_organic / [A]_aqueous
where [A]_organic is the concentration of the compound in the organic phase and [A]_aqueous is the concentration of the compound in the aqueous phase.
Applications
The Partition Coefficient has important applications in Pharmacology, where it is used to predict drug distribution in the body. It is also used in Environmental Science to predict the distribution of pollutants in the environment.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Partition coefficient
- Wikipedia's article - Partition coefficient
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