Abstract
Most drug molecules are ionizable in aqueous solutions. Ionization occurs when the molecules acquire or lose hydrogen ions in response to changes in the pH of the solution. This chapter reviews the theory of solution equilibria, which explains the behavior of ionizable molecules in solution, and describes the structural features of organic molecules that cause them to become ionized. It then discusses the importance of drug ionization, before moving on to consider the measurement of ionization constants, and techniques for predicting them by studying molecular structure.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering |
Editors | Jan Reedijk |
Place of Publication | New York NY USA |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 1 - 41 |
Number of pages | 41 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780124095472 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |