The partition coefficient of acetone across a biphasic system of 1-octanol and water was investigated using z-axis single pulse slice-selective spatially resolved excitation (SPS3RE) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.  The SPS3RE NMR experiment allows the user to collect 1D 1H spectra at defined spatial intervals along the z-axis, providing analyte quantitation through the entire sample.  In this manner, the concentration of acetone was characterized as a function of spatial location from the two-phase interface leading to the determination of partition coefficients by signal integration.  This work was designed to illustrate the functional use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an advanced undergraduate laboratory experiment with the goal of calculating partition coefficients in a model biphasic system.  The SPS3RE technique introduces students to the phenomenon behind spatially resolved NMR experiments frequently used for medical applications.

Determination of partition coefficients by NMR spectroscopy

239th National Meeting (2010)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.