1. What would be the result of failing to mark the solvent frontafter developing a TLC plate? Would this affect your ability tocalculate component Rf values? Why or why not?
2. What would happen if your origin line was oriented so low onthe TLC plate that when it was lowered into the TLC chamber it waspositioned below the level of the developing solvent (eluent)?
3. Assuming that the separation of a binary mixture in idealcircumstances (concentrated spotting) would be relatively small(less than 0.5 cm), what would be the result of applying too largea spot of this mixture to the TLC plate? How would it affect yourability to distinguish one component from the other on the plate?How would it affect your Rf values? Draw a sample TLC plate to helpillustrate your answer.
4. Unknown compound Q is spotted on a TLC plate that is thendeveloped in cyclohexane. The solvent front is measured at 5.2 cmand the distance traveled by compound Q is measured at 3.4 cm. Asample of acetaminophen is spotted on a TLC plate that is thendeveloped in cyclohexane. The solvent front is measured at 4.15 cmand the distance traveled by acetaminophen is measured at 2.70 cm.What can be determined about the identity of compound Q in light ofthis data?
5. Describe how TLC could be used to monitor a reaction’sprogress (product & byproduct formation) in a research/teachinglaboratory.
