ABSTRACT
A novel method for the determination of lipophilicity using a simple HPLC protocol based on gradient elution chromatography is presented and compared to the common isocratic log k'(w) procedure. Linear relationships with high correlation coefficients between both methods for biologically active nucleosides and cyclic nucleotides as well as for environmentally relevant aromatic hydrocarbons were found. A mathematical fit to support the empirically determined linear relationship is presented. It is shown that the observed relationship between log k'(w) and the apparent capacity factor (k'(g)) determined by gradient elution is derivable by theoretical considerations as well. Since the gradient method is much less time-consuming compared to other procedures, it represents a convenient alternative for determining lipophilicity data in the future.
