Model for the partition of neutral compounds between n‐heptane and formamide

Partition coefficients for 84 varied compounds were determined for n-heptane-formamide biphasic partition system and used to derive a model for the distribution of neutral compounds between the n-heptane-rich and formamide-rich layers. The partition coefficients, log K(p), were correlated through the solvation parameter model giving log K(p)=0.083+0.559E-2.244S-3.250A-1.614B+2.387V with a multiple correlation coefficient of 0.996, standard error of the estimate 0.139, and Fisher statistic 1791. In the model, the solute descriptors are excess molar refraction, E, dipolarity/polarizability, S, overall hydrogen-bond acidity, A, overall hydrogen-bond basicity, B, and McGowan's characteristic volume, V. The model is expected to be able to estimate further values of the partition coefficient to about 0.13 log units for the same descriptor space covered by the calibration compounds (E=-0.26-2.29, S=0-1.93, A=0-1.25, B=0.02-1.58, and V=0.78-2.50). The n-heptane-formamide partition system is shown to have different selectivity to other totally organic biphasic systems and to be suitable for estimating descriptor values for compounds of low water solubility and/or stability.