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Organic Synthesis and Analysis

Interpreting chromatographic data

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on what a chromatogram shows about the number of components and why that is only a minimum, the Rf equation and worked values, why an Rf can never exceed one and must be quoted with its solvent, identifying a component against a reference, and two-way chromatography.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What does a chromatogram allow you to conclude about the number of components in a mixture?

Key term

Give the equation for the Rf value.

Numbers

A spot travels 3.5 cm while the solvent front travels 7.0 cm. Calculate the Rf value.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What does a chromatogram allow you to conclude about the number of components in a mixture?

    Model answer

    Each separated spot or peak represents one component, so the number of them is the minimum number of substances present.

  2. 2

    Give the equation for the Rf value.

    Model answer

    Rf is the distance moved by the component divided by the distance moved by the solvent front.

  3. 3

    A spot travels 3.5 cm while the solvent front travels 7.0 cm. Calculate the Rf value.

    Model answer

    3.5 divided by 7.0, which is 0.50.

  4. 4

    Why can an Rf value never exceed one?

    Model answer

    The component is carried by the solvent, so it cannot travel further than the solvent front.

  5. 5

    Why must an Rf value be quoted with the solvent and stationary phase used?

    Model answer

    The value depends on the competition between the two phases, so it changes if either is changed.

  6. 6

    How is an unknown component identified from a chromatogram?

    Model answer

    Its Rf value is compared with that of a known reference substance run on the same plate under identical conditions.

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