Partition coefficients (free ligands and their iron(III) complexes) and lipophilic behavior of new abiotic chelators. Correlation to biological activity.

Partition coefficients between n-octanol and water have been measured for ten tripodal ligands with catecholate or hydroxyquinolinate or pyridinophenolate chelating subunits and for their iron(III) complexes. The abilities of the ligands to cross an octanol phase and to extract ferric ion from its EDTA complex in an aqueous phase are studied. Correlation with biological properties are discussed.