TLC Rf Values

[MedPR]

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If the question doesn't tell you anything about the mobile and stationary phase, how can you really say if the polar material will migrate more or less than the nonpolar material?

If the mobile phase is more polar than the stationary phase, the polar one will have a higher Rf, but if the stationary phase is more polar, it will have a lower Rf.

 

[mcloaf]

TLC is nearly always performed using silica as the stationary phase, which is highly polar. If this is not the case in a particular question they would need to tell you so because it would be very atypical.

 

[MedPR]

TLC is nearly always performed using silica as the stationary phase, which is highly polar. If this is not the case in a particular question they would need to tell you so because it would be very atypical.

Ok so if they don't say anything, just assume higher polarity = lower Rf. Thanks!