Lipophilicity determination of highly lipophilic compounds by liquid chromatography

Chem Biodivers. 2009 Nov;6(11):1828-36. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200900115.

Abstract

Different experimental strategies using short columns in both conventional liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) were evaluated to allow, for the first time with these techniques, the lipophilicity determination of compounds with log P>5. Various organic modifiers, stationary phases, and elution modes were tested on 14 rigid compounds with a CLogP between 5 and 8, and 38 compounds with log P(oct) from 0 to 5. The best results in HPLC were obtained with the 20-mm Discovery RP Amide C16 stationary phase in isocratic mode using MeOH as organic modifier. To improve analysis time, the UHPLC approach was then evaluated. Consequently, a generic method was developed with a 30-mm Acquity BEH Shield RP18 column in gradient mode using MeOH as organic modifier, allowing a fourfold gain of time compared to the HPLC method, for the highly lipophilic compounds tested. Finally, the most rapid and accurate results were obtained with a 10-mm Hypersil GOLD Javelin HTS stationary phase in UHPLC, enabling an eightfold gain of time compared to the HPLC method.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Buffers
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / instrumentation
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Methanol / chemistry
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry*
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Solubility
  • Solvents

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Lipids
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations
  • Solvents
  • Methanol