Question

Solvents at disposal:

Hexanes, Toluene, dichloromethane, diethyl, ethyl acetate, methanol, water, acetic acid

From the solvents, choose a single solvent that would give the best chance of separating benzophenone, diphenyl methanol and biphenyl using TLC on silica gel. Explain reasoning behind the choice. (phenyl groups are fairly non-polar)

Answer 1

The Best-used Solvent is Hexane.

Explanation:

In the given solvents -

• Hexanes, Toulene, and dichloromethane have lesser eluting power.
• Diethyl ether and Ethyl acetate have medium eluting power.
• Methanol, water, and acetic acid have very little eluting power.
• Greater is the eluting power of the solvent lesser is the amount to be added.
• For solvents like Diethyl ether and Ethyl acetate have to be added in the percentage of 1% - 50% in addition to the solvent of higher eluting power.
• Hexanes and Toulene are often used in TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography ) as a Base.
• The reason behind this is they are non-polar compounds.
• The best-used solvent is Hexane.