What is -octanol/water partition coefficient ?
One shakes up a known amount of a compound in the n-octanol-water mixture and allows the layers to separate and then analyzes each layer for the amount of compound.The ratio of the amount dissolved in the n-octanol to the amount dissolved in the water is the partition coefficient. The larger the ratio, the more hydrophobic ( less water soluble the compound ) This gives an indication of the ability of the compound to penetrate the cell membane or other bariers that are predominantly hydrophobic or contain a hydrophobic portion.
