Three organic compounds A,B and C were allowed to run in thin layer chromatography using hexane and gave the following result (see figure). The Rf value of the most polar compound is ____×10−2
Answer: 25
Solution
With a non-polar developing solvent such as hexane, the more polar a compound is, the more strongly it is held by the polar stationary phase and the shorter the distance it travels. Of the three spots the one that moves least is the most polar; it travels 2cm while the solvent front advances 8cm.
Rf=82=0.25
Expressed as asked, the Rf value of the most polar compound is 25×10−2.