Given that adsorption chromatography is being utilized with a polar adsorbent such as silica, predict the order of elution of the following three compounds with the first to elute being listed first.
Compound A - nonpolar compound with minimal potential for hydrogen bonding
Compound B - polar compound with intermediate potential for hydrogen bonding
Compound C - polar compound with high potential for hydrogen bonding

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When polar adsorbents are used in adsorption chromatography, the primary mechanisms of retention are based on hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions between solute and stationary phase.Compound A, being nonpolar and having minimal potential for hydrogen bonding, will have minimal interaction with the stationary phase and be eluted first.Compound B is polar and will interact with the stationary phase through dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding.Because of these interactions, compound B will be retained longer than compound A and elute second.Compound C will be retained longer than compound B, because there is greater potential for hydrogen bonding interactions between the solute and the stationary phase than seen with compound B.

Given That Adsorption Chromatography Is Being Utilized with a Polar