Partition coefficients of some aromatic alcohols in an n-heptane/water system and their relationship to minimum inhibitory concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

The partition coefficients of the homologous series of aromatic alcohols were determined in an n-heptane/water system. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, 3-phenylpropanol, 4-phenylbutanol and 5-phenylpentanol were elucidated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The linear relationship log 1/C = a log P+b postulated by Hansch was found to apply.