The partition coefficient of itaconic acid in two phase system of acrylonitrile and water

The water/ACN distribution coefficient of itaconic acid, favoured for the a queous phase increases further on addition of water soluble suspending agen ts and phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The distribution coefficient diminish es with rise in temperature. The partition coefficient is independent of th e concentration of the solute until saturation in the organic phase and thi s saturation point shifts to a higher concentration regime with increase in temperature. The differential heat of solution (DeltaH) calculated from th e temperature dependency of partition coefficient and that from the equilib rium solubility of IA in the two phases are practically the same. DeltaH va lue decreases in the presence of water soluble organic additives, while ino rganic additives increase it marginally.