Question

What does α represent in the below equation?

\(K_{biphasic} = K_w (\frac{1+αP_B}{1+αP_A})\)

(a) \(\frac{[B_w]}{[A_w]}\)

(b) \(\frac{V_{org}}{V_w}\)

(c) \(\frac{[B_t]}{[A_t]}\)

(d) \(\frac{[B_{org}]}{[B_w]}\)

I had been asked this question in semester exam.

The above asked question is from Recent Advances topic in division Recent Advances in Enzyme Technology of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Right choice is (b) \(\frac{V_{org}}{V_w}\)

Easy explanation: Kbiphasic in terms of volumes is represented by

\(K_{biphasic} = K_w  (\frac{1+αP_B}{1+αP_A})\),

Where Kw = equilibrium constant of water, PA and PB are partition coefficients of A and B respectively.

α is the ratio of the volumes of the organic (Vorg) and water (Vw) phases and is given by \(\frac{V_{org}}{V_w}\).

Kw = \(\frac{[B_w]}{[A_w]}\) ; \(K_{biphasic}=\frac{[B_t]}{[A_t]}\) ; and PB = \(\frac{[B_{org}]}{[B_w]}\).