An organic compound is separated using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) on a glass plate coated with silica gel. If the distance travelled by the solvent front is 10 cm and the distance travelled by the compound spot is 4 cm , what is the fundamental principle involved in this separation and the retardation factor ( R_f ) of the compound?

Step-by-step solution

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is a type of adsorption chromatography where a thin layer of a solid like silica gel or alumina acts as the stationary phase (adsorbent). The retardation factor ( R_f ) is calculated as: R_f = Distance travelled by the compound Distance travelled by the solvent front Given: Distance travelled by the compound = 4 cm Distance travelled by the solvent front = 10 cm R_f = 4 10 = 0.4 Therefore, the principle is adsorption chromatography and the R_f value is 0.4 . Answer: Adsorption chroma