Acid-base behavior of quinolones in aqueous acetonitrile mixtures.

Quinolones are a family of antibacterial agents that are used extensively in both human and veterinary clinics. Their antibacterial activity is pH-dependent, and therefore an examination of protonation equilibria in quinolone solutions is essential. pK-Values of nine quinolone antibacterials in acetonitrile-water mixtures containing 0, 10, 30, 40, 50 and 70%(w/w) acetonitrile were determined according to the rules and procedures endorsed by IUPAC. In order to obtain quinolone pK-values in any acetonitrile-water mixture up to 70%(w/w) acetonitrile, relationships between pK-values and different bulk properties (such as dielectric constant) and some microscopic parameters (such as solvatochromic parameters alpha, beta and pi*) were established. These relationships and the application of the preferential solvation theory of electrolytes in acetonitrile-water mixtures permit the interpretation of acid-base behaviour of these important antimicrobials in the widely used acetonitrile-water media.