[[(phosphonomethyl)imino]bis[ethylenenitrilobis(methylene)]]tetrakisphosphonic acid, ammonium salt

Partition coefficient

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Endpoint:

partition coefficient

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

comparable to guideline study with acceptable restrictions

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Method: other (measured): Monsanto Environmental Sciences method ES-79-M-15: Log Kow of the substance was measured by equilibrating aqueous solutions of radiolabelled compounds with n-octanol. The concentrations of the substance in each phase were determined by Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC).

GLP compliance:

no

Type of method:

other: equilibrating aqueous solutions of radiolabelled compounds with n-octanol

Partition coefficient type:

octanol-water

Key result

Type:

log Pow

Partition coefficient:

-3.4

Remarks on result:

other: Temperature and pH not stated

Test concentration       K_ow
50 mg/L             4.46 x 10^-4
500 mg/L             3.49 x 10^-4

Test concentrations are expressed as active acid.

Conclusions:

log Kow value of -3.4 was obtained for DTPMP-H using a relevant method. The result is considered to be reliable.

Description of key information

log K_ow [DTPMP-xNH₄]: <-3.4

log K_ow [ammonia]: not relevant for an inorganic substance

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Log Kow (Log Pow):

-3.4

Additional information

Log K_ow values of -3.4 and -3.5 at 50 mg/L and 500 mg/L test concentrations respectively were reported for the parent acid, DTPMP-H in a reliable study conducted according to generally accepted scientific principles comparable to an appropriate test guideline. The method has been adequately described in the report. The result is considered to be reliable and has been assigned as key study.

DTPMP-xNH₄ is freely soluble in water and, therefore, the DTPMP anion is fully dissociated from its ammonium cations when in solution. The DTPMP anion has ten P-OH groups that can be ionised. They lose hydrogen to form a negatively charged group (P-O^-). As the pH increases, the number of ionised groups increases. Under any given conditions, the degree of ionisation of the DTPMP species is determined by the pH of the solution. At a specific pH, the degree of ionisation is the same regardless of whether the starting material was DTPMP (4-8K), DTPMP (1-3Na), DTPMP (5-7Na), DTPMP-H, DTPMP (xNH₄) or another salt of DTPMP.

Therefore, the log K_ow measured for DTPMP-H is directly relevant for DTPMP-xNH₄. The log K_ow for an ionising substance will vary with pH as the ionised species will have a greater hydrophilicity and lower log K_ow than the neutral species. The pH was not measured in the study with DTPMP-H, however, a solution of DTPMP-H in unbuffered water will have a very low pH. Therefore, the log K_ow for DTPMP-xNH₄ is reported as <-3.4.

For further details of the speciation of DTPMP see PFA 2020.

The key study is supported by a calculated log K_ow value of -8 for DTPMP-H using a relevant estimation method.

DTPMP (5-7Na) has a calculated log K_ow value of -2.8.

Log K_ow is not applicable for ammonia, because it is an inorganic substance. However, an indicative value of 0.23 at 20°C has been predicted using the software KOWWIN (KOWWIN v1.68, US EPA, 2010) and this value is used in the exposure modelling. The value applies to unionised ammonia, NH₃.

Reference

PFA 2020: DTPMP speciation at pH relevant to Ecotoxicology and Toxicology, Reference: PFA.224.606.001, May 2020.