Question

When analyzed by TLC, a compound exhibited an Rf value of 0.48 when diethyl ether was utilized as the developing solvent. In this analysis the solvent was allowed to travel a distance of 7.8 cm up the plate. If the solvent had been allowed to travel 11.3 cm up the plate how high up the plate would the compound have traveled?

Answer 1

5.4 cm

Step-by-step explanation:

The Rf value can be calculated using the formula

Rf = A/B

Where A is the distance travelled by the compound, and B is the distance traveled by the solvent. If the compound and the developing solvent remain the same, the Rf value does not change, no matter the dimensions of the plate or how long the solvent was allowed to travel.

As such, we're left with Rf = 0.48 and B = 11.3 cm, so now we solve for A:

0.48 = A / 11.3

A = 5.4 cm