Partition coefficients lipophilicity profiles

In the traditional shake-flask method, the apparent partition coefficient, log D, is measured, usually at pH 7.4 (sometimes at pH 6.5). Different buffers are used to control each pH used in the determinations [70]. Usually, in a comprehensive study, several pH measurements are made, and values of log are plotted against the pH. This plot is often called the lipophilicity profile . One can determine the true partition coefficients (log P ) and the ionization constants from the features in such a curve. 

Of course, the shape of the lipophilicity profiles becomes much more complicated for molecules with multiple ionized forms. Nevertheless, the partition coefficients may be calculated from the distribution coefficient using the general equation [113] ... 

However, recent studies on the variation of the distribution coefficient of ionizable drugs as a function of pH (pH-lipophilicity profiles) shows that the partitioning of charged species cannot be neglected [143]. In other words, the general relationship between distribution and partition coefficients [Eq. (15)] cannot be simplified. 

The distribution profiles are not necessarily symmetrical because the anion and the cation may have different partition coefficients. For both types of profiles, however, zwitterionic compounds have an approximately constant value of lipophilicity in the region around their isoelectric pH, so that they behave as lipophilicity buffers between their two values [143,327]. 

Different balance between intermolecular forces can be accessible via partition coefficients measured in solvents systems other than the traditional 1-octanol/water. Therefore there was a growing interest in the partition processes in several solvent/ water systems [64, 65] and in particular the critical quartet of solvents which was designed to merge the main information about a solute concerning its partition and transport. Only a few studies have been performed to characterize the lipophilicity profile of new chemical entities in different solvent/water systems and consequently the number of methods attempting to model such partitioning systems is limited. 

---