Question

Name 2 other solvents that can be used for TLC (thin layer chromatography). Which one is polar and which one is non-polar?

Answer 1

The solvents to be used in TLC depends much on the polarity & type or nature of the compounds to be separated.Generally polar solvents dissolve polar compounds best and nonpolar compounds dissolve in nonpolar solvents best. " Like dissolves like ". Since the specific compound to be separated is not known we can start with nonpolar solvents towards polar ones like 1) Hexane , 2) chloroform , 3) ethyl acetate , 4) methanol , 5) water. Some times mixing of solvents in suitable ratio also serves the purpose ( viz. 1 & 2 ,3 &4 , 4 &5 ) .

However , here is a list of a few polar and nonpolar solvents ,to chose from-

Nonpolar Solvents ................................................................................Polar Solvents

Hexane.................................................................................................Ethyl acetate......................

Cyclohexane........................................................................................ Acetone.............................

Benzene...............................................................................................Dimethyl Formamide(DMF)

Dichloro methane(DMF).......................................................................Ethanol...............................

Toluene................................................................................................Water.................................