Consider a sample that is a mixture composed of biphenyl, benzoic acid, and benzyl alcohol. Predict the order of elution of the components in this mixture. Assume that the chromatography uses a silica column and the solvent system is based on cyclohexane, with an increasing proportion of methylene chloride added as a function of time.

Question

Chemistry

Dalton Irwin

26 November, 02:22

Consider a sample that is a mixture composed of biphenyl, benzoic acid, and benzyl alcohol. Predict the order of elution of the components in this mixture. Assume that the chromatography uses a silica column and the solvent system is based on cyclohexane, with an increasing proportion of methylene chloride added as a function of time.

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Answers (1)

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Kiersten Baldwin · Answer 1

biphenyl, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid

Explanation:

Due to the nonpolar nature of cyclohexane, biphenyl will be the first solute to be eluted due to the presence of two phenyl rings. The second solute to be eluted will be benzyl alcohol due to the presence of OH group. This is because it has the ability to exhibit hydrogen bond with the silica column of the chromatography. Lastly, the benzoic acid will be the third solute to be eluted due to the presence of COOH group which is more polar than the OH group. Therefore, the order of elution of the components in the mixture is biphenyl, benzyl alcohol, benzoic acid.