4 How is the eluent polarity changing when the solvent is sw

4. How is the eluent polarity changing when the solvent is switched from 100% hexanes to 1:1 hexanes : ethyl acetate?What is the purpose of this switch?

Solution

Ans. Ethyl acetate is a polar solvent when the solvent is switched from 100 % hexane to 1.1 hexane : ethyl acetate then the polarity of the eluent increases because of 50% - 50 % ethyl acetate and hexane. That is done when we have polar compound and we want to identify it on the basis of Thin layer chromatography. By this solvent system, Rf value of polar compound increases.