MODELING OIL-WATER PARTITIONING AND MEMBRANE PERMEATION USING REVERSED-PHASE CHROMATOGRAPHY

Reversed-phase chromatographic retention data are currently playing a significant role in the determination of one of the most important physical properties of compounds, the oil-water partition coefficient. The potential uses of partition coefficients cover many areas of chemistry and biology, and have been particularly important in the area of biomembrane transport. This review will address the theoretical foundation of the chromatographic method for the estimation of partition coefficients, with an emphasis on the origins of anomalous retention behavior. Deviations of chromatographically determined partition coefficients from true values may provide insight into reversed-phase retention mechanisms.