Question

Of you were to increase the polarity of the solvent system, what would happen to the retention factors of the spots on the silica gel TLC plate? (2 pt)

A. Only nonpolar compounds would have a larger retention factor
B. Only polar compounds would have a larger retention factor
C. All spots would have a larger retention factor and elute in the same order
D. All spots would have a smaller retention factor and elute in the same order

Answer 1

B

Step-by-step explanation:

If you make de solvent more polar, the nonpolar compounds will have a bigger interaction with the silica gel than with the solvent, making it more difficult to elute therefore having a smaller retention factor.

The polar compounds will have a bigger interaction with the solvent making it more easy to elute therefore having a larger retention factor.