DP Chemistry (last assessment 2024)
Question 19M.3.sl.TZ1.17a(ii)
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 1] | Reference code | 19M.3.sl.TZ1.17a(ii) |
| Level | sl | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Suggest | Question number | a(ii) | Adapted from | N/A |
a(ii).
[Maximum mark: 1]
19M.3.sl.TZ1.17a(ii)
This question is about antiviral drugs.
Oseltamivir, used for the treatment of severe flu, is inactive until converted in the liver to its active carboxylate form.
(a(ii))
Suggest a reason for using a phosphate salt of oseltamivir in oral tablets.
[1]
Markscheme
more soluble «in water» [✔]
Examiners report
About a third of the candidates realised that producing a salt would increase the drug’s aqueous solubility, though many just stated “increased bioavailability” without explaining how this came about.
