Can you use TLC to distinguish various isomers from one another? In what kind of substance can you NOT distinguish the isomers from each other?
i think it is not possible to distinguish
If I have an unknown sample containing several ketones and want to use TLC to identify the unknown from a sample of branched hydrocarbons...will my unknown with ketones have more polarity than the branched hydrocarbons rising on the TLC more quickly?
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Yes, you can use Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) to distinguish various isomers from one another. TLC is a technique commonly used in chemistry to separate and identify different compounds in a mixture based on their polarity.
To distinguish isomers using TLC, you need to compare their relative polarities. The more polar a compound is, the more it will interact with the stationary phase (usually a coated layer on a plate) and the less it will move up the plate. On the other hand, nonpolar compounds will have less interaction with the stationary phase and will move up the plate more quickly.
However, there are cases where it may be challenging to distinguish isomers from each other using TLC. This typically occurs when the isomers have similar or very close polarities. In such situations, the differences in polarity might be too subtle to produce distinct separation or migration patterns on the TLC plate. In these cases, additional techniques or more sensitive methods, like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), may be required for better resolution.
Regarding your specific question about comparing an unknown sample containing ketones to a sample of branched hydrocarbons on TLC, it is likely that the ketones will have higher polarity compared to the branched hydrocarbons. Ketones generally have a polar carbonyl group, which increases their overall polarity. As a result, the ketones are more likely to interact with the stationary phase on the TLC plate and move up the plate at a slower rate compared to the nonpolar branched hydrocarbons.