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.
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.
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…
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 mu…
The formula or notation for Hydrophobic is: log P > 0
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CAS Registry, NIST WebBook, and PubChem. Safety information reflects guidance from OSHA, ECHA,
and IAEA. For educational purposes only — always consult official SDS documentation and qualified
professionals before handling chemicals.
