Hydrophobic — Definition, Formula, Properties & Uses | AllChemicals | AllChemicals

Q: What is the formula for Hydrophobic?

The formula or notation for Hydrophobic is: log P > 0

Formula / Notation	log P > 0
Also Known As	Lipophilic, nonpolar (related), water-repelling, oil-soluble

What is Hydrophobic?

Describes molecules or groups that repel water and do not dissolve in water. Hydrophobic substances are typically nonpolar. The term means "water-fearing." Hydrophobic interactions drive the folding of proteins and the formation of lipid bilayers in cell membranes.

Formula & Notation

log P > 0

Other Names / Synonyms: Lipophilic, nonpolar (related), water-repelling, oil-soluble

Properties & Characteristics

Hydrophobic ("water-fearing") describes a molecule or molecular region that has little affinity for water and tends to be excluded from aqueous environments due to the hydrophobic effect. Hydrophobic interactions arise because water molecules must form ordered structures around nonpolar solutes (entropy decrease), so the system minimises contact with the nonpolar groups by aggregating them together. This drives protein folding, lipid bilayer formation, and micelle assembly.

Uses & Applications

Hydrophobic effects are central to: cell membrane formation (lipid bilayer assembly), protein folding (hydrophobic core burial), drug-receptor binding (hydrophobic pockets in enzymes), detergent function (hydrophobic tail buries in oil), and chromatography (reversed-phase HPLC separates compounds by hydrophobicity).

Safety Information

Highly hydrophobic chemicals (log P > 4) tend to accumulate in biological lipid compartments (bioaccumulation) and in fatty tissues. Persistent organic pollutants (PCBs, dioxins, DDT) are highly hydrophobic and biomagnify up the food chain. Hydrophobic chemicals also absorb poorly through aqueous mucus layers but can penetrate cell membranes readily.

Always consult the SDS/MSDS before handling any chemical. This information is for educational purposes only.

Key Facts

Term Hydrophobic

Formula log P > 0

Index All "H" terms

Synonyms Lipophilic, nonpolar (related), water-repelling, oil-soluble

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hydrophobic?

Describes molecules or groups that repel water and do not dissolve in water. Hydrophobic substances are typically nonpolar. The term means "water-fearing." Hydrophobic interactions drive the folding of proteins and the formation of lipid bilayers in cell membranes.

What is Hydrophobic used for?

Is Hydrophobic hazardous?

What is the formula for Hydrophobic?

More "H" Terms

Haber Process N₂ + 3H₂ ⇌ 2NH₃ | ΔH = −92 kJ/mol Hafnium Hf Half Cell Half Life Half-Cell E = E° − (RT/nF)lnQ Half-Life A(t) = A₀e^(−λt); t½ = ln2/λ Half-Reaction Halide X⁻ (e.g., F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻) Halogen F₂, Cl₂, Br₂, I₂, At; Group 17; ns²np⁵ valence configuration Halogenation C-X + Cl₂/Br₂ (hv or AlCl₃) → C-X(halogen); EAS or radical pathway Halogens Hard Acid Hard acid: small, highly charged, low polarisability (e.g., H⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺)

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