Distribution of unsaturated acids between organic and aqueous phases

The distribution of crotonic acid between water and 27 organic extractants has been studied. It was found that the distribution constants of lower unsaturated acids - crotonic, acrylic, and methacrylic - can be quantitatively related to physicochemical properties of the organic extractants by linear multi-parameter equations, the main part being played by the basicity and polarity of extractants, i.e., the extraction process depends on the strength of the hydrogen bond being formed. However, variations of the ratios of distribution constants for different acids in the same solvent are not proportional, since the coefficient of separate terms of the equations vary in different ways for different acids, depending on the hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties of the acids. 12 refs., 4 figs., 5 tabs.