Quiz 4 - Experiments 3-6 Flashcards
Define Thin Layer Chromatography
Common technique used in which compounds are separated so they can be seen even if they are part of a mixture
What are the benefits of using Thin Layer Chromatography?
- Inexpensive
- Very little sample required
- Numerous samples can be tested at once
- Samples can be recovered if necessary
TLC is specifically popular for determine when a reaction is ____________ by the appearance of the __________ and the disappearance of the __________ __________.
Complete; product; starting material(s)
When doing a TLC experiment, one of the keys to success is spotting the samples at a level that is…
HIGHER than the solvent in the chamber
Why is it important for the spotting samples to be higher than the level of solvent in the chamber?
Allows the spot to travel up the plate rather than dilute it down into the solvent
What is the most common method for visualizing TLC plates?
Utilizing UV lamps is used to illuminate the plate in order to visualize the spots
What is utilized to visualize TLC plates when UV light is insufficient?
Iodine vapor
What is the equation for obtaining Rf values?
Rf = distance compound/distance solvent
What does Rf stand for?
Retention factor
The reason that compounds have different Rf values is due to ___________.
Polarity
What are the many ways the polarity of a molecule can be measured?
- TLC (chromatography method)
- GC (chromatography method)
- Dipole moment
- Dielectric constant
Least polar compounds are often found to be…
Hydrocarbons
Most polar compounds are often found to be…
Compounds that have N/O-H and C=O (polar) bonds
TLC experiments have 3 important factors that must be considered when making generalization about the behavior of the solutes being analyzed…
I) Polarity of solid support
II) Polarity of the solvents used to develop the plate
III) Polarity of compound/solute itself
The polarity of the solid support (silica or alumina) = ___________ phase.
Immobile
The polarity of the solvent(s) used to develop the plate = ___________ phase.
Mobile
In TLC, the silica gel found on the plates is very ________.
Polar
As the solvent travels up a TLC plate, the sample molecules must decide if they want to…
Adhere to the plate or move with the solvent
In general, polar compounds tend to do what on the polar silica gel?
Tend to “stick” on the polar silica gel
In general, nonpolar compounds tend to do what on the polar silica gel?
Tend to prefer the solvent
Typically on TLC run on silica gel slides/plates, non-polar compounds generally have __________ Rf values than polar compounds.
HIGHER
Specific Rf values are dependent upon…
The polarity of the solid support and developing solvent