suppose you carry out a TLC separation of acetaminophen and phenacetin on silica gel using a non polar developing solvent. which should have a higher Rf value, and why?

1 decade later im gonna have to say i think its phenacetin because it is non polar or something

To determine which compound, acetaminophen or phenacetin, would have a higher Rf value in a TLC separation on silica gel using a non-polar developing solvent, we need to consider their relative polarities.

In TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography), the Rf value is a measure of the distance traveled by a compound relative to the distance traveled by the solvent. It is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the compound spot by the distance traveled by the solvent front.

Silica gel is a polar stationary phase commonly used in TLC. Acetaminophen and phenacetin are both relatively non-polar compounds. However, compared to phenacetin, acetaminophen has a higher polarity due to the presence of a polar hydroxyl (OH) group.

In a TLC separation using a non-polar developing solvent, the non-polar compound (phenacetin) will have a higher affinity for the non-polar stationary phase (silica gel) and will tend to stick to it more strongly, resulting in a lower Rf value. On the other hand, the more polar compound (acetaminophen) will experience less interaction with the non-polar stationary phase, allowing it to travel more easily with the solvent and thus have a higher Rf value.

Therefore, acetaminophen is expected to have a higher Rf value than phenacetin in a TLC separation on silica gel using a non-polar developing solvent.