What is meant by the term partition coefficient (Kpc)?
Partition coefficient (Kpc) is the equilibrium constant that describes how a solute is distributed between two immiscible solvents at a given temperature.
An example of this equilibrium for ammonia is NH3(aq) ⇌ NH3(organic solvent).
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What is the expression for the partition coefficient of a solute (X) between two solvents A and B?
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What are the units of Kpc?
Kpc does not have any units.
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Which two factors affect the value of Kpc?
Kpc depends on:
A solute will be more soluble in whichever solvent it forms the stronger intermolecular forces with.
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Explain what a Kpc value less than 1 indicates about the relative solubilities of a solute (X) in water and in an organic solvent using the equilibrium equation below.
X(aq) ⇌ X(organic)
A Kpc value less than 1 indicates that X is more soluble in water than in the organic solvent.
This means the concentration of X in water is higher than in the organic solvent, suggesting that X forms stronger intermolecular forces with water molecules than it does with organic solvent molecules.
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