n-propylbenzene will travel the largest distance because it interacts most effectively with the stationary phase followed by phenol and benzoic acid will travel the least distance because it interacts poorly with the mobile phase.
Thin layer chromatography involves the separation of a mixture using a stationary phase made of silica gel on a glass plate and an appropriate mobile phase. The extent of separation is highly dependent on the magnitude of interaction between the solute and the mobile phase. and stationary phase.
The first step in thin layer chromatography is to make a thin mark at the bottom portion of the plate then spot the plate with the sample. The mobile phase is now introduced into the TLC chamber a little below the mark. The plate is now placed in the stationary phase such that the mark is above the solvent level.
The TLC chamber is now covered and enough time is allowed for separation to occur. The spots can be seen using a suitable indicator dye or with a the aid of UV light
After the separation of a homogeneous, liquid mixture containing benzoic acid, n-propylbenzene, and phenol, provided a 4:1 hexane to ethyl acetate solution as the eluent, we can see that n-propylbenzene will travel the largest distance because it interacts most effectively with the stationary phase followed by phenol and benzoic acid will travel the least distance because it interacts poorly with the mobile phase.
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