Thermodynamic treatment of partition experiments with special reference to molecular-sieve chromatography

Abstract

Using thermodynamics an equation (eqn. 8) has been derived for the relationship between distribution coefficients and the parameters characterizing the solute ( e.g. partial molal volume and molecular area) and the gel bed ( e.g. pressure and interfacial tension). When active transport can be neglected the equation might also give a qualitative picture of the factors that determine the distribution of solutes between the internal space of a living cell and its surroundings. Introduction of a series of assumptions, which are all discussed, leads to simplified formulae (eqns. 14 and 15), which, in spite of their approximate nature, seem to be applicable in most experiments. The considerations herein also apply to regular partition expeiments, including A lbertsson's aqueous two-phase systems, recalling that no pressure difference exists between two liquid phases, as between the interior of a gel and the surrounding medium.