Kow (octanol-water partition coefficient)

The Kow, or octanol-water partition coefficient, measures how a substance distributes itself between oily (octanol) and watery (water) environments. It indicates whether a compound is more attracted to fats and oils or to water. A high Kow means the substance prefers fat-like environments, making it lipophilic, while a low Kow suggests it prefers water, making it hydrophilic. This property helps predict how chemicals will behave in biological systems, like their ability to pass through cell membranes or their potential toxicity. Overall, Kow is a key parameter in understanding a chemical's polarity, bioaccumulation, and environmental impact.