Oscillations in some linear free energy relationships derived from partition coefficients of phenols between octanol and water.

In the partition of some resorcinol alkyl ethers between water and 1-octanol, the values of delta Gtrs do not increase in a regular way. Odd and even chain alkyl compounds show different, regular increases in delta Gtrs for addition of each methylene group. The unrecognized occurrence of this phenomenon in earlier data is pointed out, and its possible significance in medicinal chemistry is discussed.