Question

Consider the following errors that could be made when running TLC. Indicate what should be done to correct the error. a. A two-component mixture containing 1-octene and 1, 4-dimethylbenzene gave only one spot with an Rf value of 0.95. The solvent used was acetone.

Answer 1

Answer: Please see explanation column for answer.

Explanation: For A two-component mixture containing 1-octene and 1, 4-dimethylbenzene with acetone.

Error----- The retention factor (Rf) is 0.95 and the two spots are coming simultaneously together producing only one spot indicating that that the choice of solvent we have used is too polar. The compounds are interacting rapidly with the very polar solvent and have very low interaction with the stationary phase. than the mobile phase.

Solution:-----, We will need to try other low polar solvent that can allow two spots to be formed on the TLC plate eg is the use of different percentage s of hexane in ethyl acetate ether 10% or 20%.