Determining the Identity of Unknown Substances by Using the R Factor Found with Chromatography Paper

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Determining the Identity of Unknown Substances by using the Rƒ Factor found with Chromatography Paper

Purpose

To separate molecules that are attracted to one another using the principles of intermolecular forces as well as a scientific ratio to find the identity of unknown substances.

Theoretical Background

Chromatography corresponds to the solubility of substances in a mixture, as well as, its ability to separate in different solvents. The level of separation is measured by a relative amount, Rƒ, which compares the distance that the molecule travels to the distance the solvent travels. This ratio can be calculated by the equation:

Rf=D/L=(distance solute moves)/(distance solvent moves)

Pre-Lab Work

How can molecules attract each other when they are in a mixture? Predict how ethanol would interact with those molecules. Draw a picture illustrating the interactions between the components of the mixture and the solvent, ethanol.

Molecules attract one another’s opposite partial pole due to London dispersion and Coulomb force. Substances in a mixture are not chemically bonded. There are four types of intermolecular bonds with ethanol which are London dispersion, dipole-dipole, covalent, and hydrogen. Ethanol will interact with water and bond producing a tightly bonded mixture, where as vegetable oil does not mix with water molecules. Theses structures are depicted in the figure below:

What does the Rƒ value describe on a microscopic level? Why is this important?

On a microscopic level the Rƒ value. This is important because it is used to determine the identity of substances and its solubility in various solvents. Also, the Rƒ value affects

If the molecule has a very high affinity for the stationary phase...

... middle of paper ...

...chromatography worked. Explain your picture using the following terms: stationary phase, mobile phase, solubility and intermolecular forces.

In the stationary phase (the paper), each substance is in its original mixture. The mobile phase (the solvent), is what transports the molecules up the chromatography paper. This assessment allows one to test the solubility of given substances depending on the intermolecular forces, those whose bonds are more weak travels through the mobile phase more quickly than that of those whose bonds are more tight and less soluble.

Which molecule spent the most time in the stationary phase and why?

Bromythmol blue spent the most time in the stationary phase because it is the more polar and molecules with more polarity take more time to dissolve on the solvent and rise through the cellulose fibers of the chromatography paper.

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