Calculate log P, log D, and extraction efficiency for pharmaceutical and analytical applications
Log P: Partition coefficient = [organic] / [aqueous] for neutral species
Log D: Distribution coefficient at specific pH (accounts for ionization)
Lipinski's Rule: Drug-like molecules typically have -0.4 < logP < 5.6
Multiple Extractions: More efficient than single extraction with same total volume
Applications: Drug design, environmental fate, separation techniques
The partition coefficient (P) measures how a substance distributes between two immiscible solvents at equilibrium, typically octanol and water. Log P is the base-10 logarithm of this ratio and is a fundamental parameter in medicinal chemistry, environmental science, and analytical chemistry.
The distribution coefficient (D) accounts for all species of the compound (ionized and unionized) at a specific pH, making it more relevant for predicting behavior in biological systems. Understanding both log P and log D is crucial for drug design, as they affect absorption, distribution, and excretion.