Each of the solvents given should effectively separate of the following mixtures by TLC. Match the appropriate solvent with the mixture that you would expect to separate well with the solvent. Select your solvent from the following: hexane, methylene chloride, or acetone.

(a) 2 - phenylethanol and acetophenone
(b) bromobenzene and p-xylene
(c) benzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid, and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid

....I tried googling the reactions but nothing came up... maybe im searching the wrong way... but how are u suppose to know without doing the experiment I have no idea how to predict this stuff!!
thanks so much this website is so helpful... much better than the teachers

Each of the solvents given should effectively separate of the following mixtures by TLC. Match the appropriate solvent with the mixture that you would expect to separate well with the solvent. Select your solvent from the following: hexane, methylene chloride, or acetone.

(a) 2 - phenylethanol and acetophenone
(b) bromobenzene and p-xylene
(c) benzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid, and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid

thanks in advance

Read the web site I highlighted in response below and see if that gives you some ideas. The trick is to look at the components to be separated and make an educated guess about their polarity, then match that to a solvent that will move the components at different speeds up the polar surface of the TLC plate.

Determining the appropriate solvent for separating mixtures by TLC (thin-layer chromatography) usually involves considering the polarity of the compounds in the mixture and selecting a solvent that can effectively separate them.

To predict the solvent for each mixture, you can analyze the relative polarities of the compounds. The general guideline is that like dissolves like - polar compounds will dissolve in polar solvents, while nonpolar compounds will dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

(a) 2-phenylethanol and acetophenone: Both compounds are polar, and therefore, they would require a polar solvent for effective separation. Acetone, a polar solvent, can be a suitable choice.

(b) Bromobenzene and p-xylene: Bromobenzene is a nonpolar compound, while p-xylene is moderately polar. For good separation, a nonpolar solvent like hexane would be more appropriate.

(c) Benzoic acid, 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid, and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid: Among these compounds, benzoic acid is the most polar, followed by 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid and then 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid. Since these compounds have varying polarities, a solvent with moderate polarity like methylene chloride would be a suitable choice for separation.

Keep in mind that these suggestions are based on general principles, and the optimal solvent choice might vary depending on the specific nature of the compounds involved. Experimentation and testing can help confirm the best solvent for separation.