Different Rf values separation procedure?

Use Column Chromatography to separate two organic compounds with different Rf values. Rf= (distance the compound traveled/ distance the solvent traveled) on a TLC plate. A nonpolar organic compound would have a large Rf value while a polar organic compound would have a small Rf value. "Like dissolves like", so a nonpolar solvent (e.g. hexane) can be used to dissolve a compound with a large Rf value while a polar solvent (e.g. 10:90 mixture of hexane and acetone) can be used to dissolve a compound with a small Rf value.

Post Merge: 10 years ago

Correction: the 10:90 mixture of hexane and acetone is slightly polar. An example of a polar solvent would be acetone.

Hmm, since you know the Rf, won't you know the speed that these substances move through the Gel? You can calculate the time needed for each substance to pass through, and you can collect them with 2 different tubes.

For example, if one substance needs 10 mins and the other 20 mins, you will firstly use the one tube until, lets say, min 15 and then you swap tubes. That way, you will have 2 tube each of them containing one of the substances.