Lipophilic

Lipophilic refers to the ability of a chemical compound to dissolve in fats, oils, lipids, and non-polar solvents such as hexane or toluene. These substances are classified as lipophilic because they interact with lipids or fat tissues in the body. Lipophilic substances are often used in pharmacology, as they can pass through cell membranes and interact with the body's cells.

Chemical Properties

Lipophilic substances have a high solubility in nonpolar solvents and low solubility in water, which is a polar solvent. This is due to the fact that lipophilic substances are nonpolar and therefore do not mix well with polar substances. The degree of lipophilicity can be measured using the partition coefficient, which compares the solubility of a substance in a nonpolar solvent to its solubility in water.

Biological Significance

In biology and pharmacology, lipophilicity is an important factor as it affects how substances are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body. Lipophilic drugs, for example, are able to cross cell membranes and therefore have a wide distribution in the body. They can also accumulate in fatty tissues, which can lead to longer durations of action and potentially toxic effects.

See Also

• Hydrophilic
• Partition coefficient
• Pharmacokinetics
• Drug metabolism

Lipophilic Resources
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