Arrange the following compounds in order of decreasing ease of elution from a column of silica gel: a) 2-octanol; b) 1,3-dichlorobenzene; c) tert-butylcyclohexane; d) benzoic acid I was wondering if this was the correct order of it: Tert-butylcyclohexane
To determine the correct order of decreasing ease of elution for the given compounds, we need to consider their polarity and molecular size. Silica gel is commonly used as a stationary phase in column chromatography, where polar compounds tend to interact more strongly with the silica gel and elute more slowly.
Here is the correct order of decreasing ease of elution based on the given compounds:
1. 1,3-dichlorobenzene - This compound is nonpolar and relatively small, so it will interact less with the polar silica gel and elute more easily. It should elute first.
2. Tert-butylcyclohexane - This compound is also nonpolar and slightly larger than 1,3-dichlorobenzene. It will have a slightly stronger interaction with the silica gel, causing it to elute after 1,3-dichlorobenzene but before the more polar compounds.
3. 2-octanol - This compound is polar due to the presence of the hydroxyl (OH) group. It will interact more strongly with the silica gel, leading to a slower elution than the previous two compounds.
4. Benzoic acid - This compound is both polar and capable of forming hydrogen bonds. The carboxylic acid group enhances its interaction with the silica gel, resulting in the slowest elution among the given compounds.
Therefore, the correct order of decreasing ease of elution is:
1. 1,3-dichlorobenzene
2. tert-butylcyclohexane
3. 2-octanol
4. benzoic acid