Question

Discuss, briefly, why you used a solid liquid extraction prior to running a TLC analysis on your unknown compound and why ethanol was the chosen solvent. Also explain what the mobile phase for TLC was and why it was chosen. If something did not go as planned, this should also be explained.

Answer 1

Solution - In the TLC the solid -liquid extraction is used be use the solid is easily separated by liquid . Both are immiscible. The absorbent provides the surface area to gives a high extraction recovery and clean up. That's why we are using solid- liquid extraction as compare to other like liquid -liquid etc. The ethanol s used as a solvent because it is dissolve in both polar and non- polar substances.The use of ethanol is safe and can be used to dissolve in many organic compounds which are insoluble in water. The mobile phase for TLC is the suitable liquid solvent or it can be mixture of solvents. The analyse exist in between the equilibrium between the Mobil phase and stationary phase. If there existing more polar attraction than they spend more time to analysis. When both phase are different polar stationary phase and non-polar lmobile phase . They can separate easily. So we are using mobile phase liquid. If the somethings not done as according to the planned it means we are not using correct Solvent , the spotting of the sample multiple times in the same place on the slide, the TLC plate touched to the sides of the container, the slurry/ silica on the slide has fallen off, the level of the solvent system is too high ,etc.