Estimation of Octanol‐Water Partition Coefficients for Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using Reverse‐Phase HPLC

Abstract

Retention time measurements on reverse phase HPLC columns at isocratic conditions are used to estimate the octanol‐water partition coefficient for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The log K _ow values for PAHs ranged from 3.32 (napthalene) to 6.30 (Indeno(1,2,3‐cd)pyrene). The estimated values obtained from the present study were in good agreement with the literature values. This is a simple and rapid method for simultaneous determination of octanol‐water partition coefficients for different PAHs.

Keywords:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Partition coefficients
• Octanol‐water
• RP‐HPLC

Acknowledgment

Authors thank Dr. S. Sadasivan, Head, Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, for continuous encouragement and guidance and useful discussions.