Question

In the below reaction, Kw is represented by ___________

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

(b) \(\frac{[B_{org}]}{[A_{org}]}\)

(c) \(\frac{[A_{org}]}{[A_w]}\)

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

I got this question during an online interview.

The question is from Recent Advances topic in section Recent Advances in Enzyme Technology of Enzyme Technology

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) \(\frac{[B_w]}{[A_w]}\)

The best explanation: The reaction below represents a biphasic system consisting of a mixture of an aqueous and an organic solvent.

Kw and Korg represents equilibrium constants for water and organic phase respectively. PA and PB are partition co-efficients of A and B respectively.

Korg = \(\frac{[B_{org}]}{[A_{org}]}\)

PA = \(\frac{[A_{org}]}{[A_w]}\)

PB = \(\frac{[B_{org}]}{[B_w]}\)

Equilibrium constant for water Kw is given by \(\frac{[B_w]}{[A_w]}\),

Where Aw and Bw are concentrations of A and B.