Based on the TLC analysis, did the isolated benzoic acid appear pure relative to the starting mixture? Did the isolated naphthalene look pure? How could the purity of the isolated materials be improved? In the picture: Aq- is Benzoic acid O- is Naphthalene both- is both Benzoic acid and Naphthalene
SEE PHOTO: Effectiveness of separation. Based on the TLC analysis, did the isolated benzoic acid
appear pure relative to the starting mixture? Did the isolated naphthalene look pure?
How could the purity of the isolated materials be improved?
In the picture: Aq- is Benzoic acid
O- is Naphthalene
both- is both Benzoic acid and Naphthalene
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a method that separates and purifies compounds based on differences in their solubility in two phases. One phase is a stationary solid phase made of finely divided silica (SiO2) or alumina (Al2O3) powder, which is about 0.25 mm thick and supported by a sheet of glass or metal foil. The other phase is a mobile liquid solvent phase, which consists of a volatile organic solvent or mixture of solvents. This solvent moves the compounds through the stationary phase, which is referred to as elution, and the solvents used for this process are called eluting solvents.
The eluting strength of a solvent is primarily related to how strongly it adsorbs onto the adsorbent. Since typical adsorbents are highly polar, the eluting strength increases with solvent polarity. The absorptivity of compounds increases with increased polarity, meaning that more polar compounds bind stronger to the adsorbent. Therefore, low-polarity compounds can be eluted with low-polarity solvents, while higher-polarity compounds require solvents of higher polarity.
The traveling of a component in a solvent can be quantified using the retention factor or Rf value.
The slower a compound is bound to the adsorbent, the slower it moves up the TLC plate. Non-polar compounds move up the plate most rapidly (higher Rf value), while polar substances travel up the TLC plate slowly or not at all (lower Rf value).
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