A TLC experiment was performed using two standard solutions, and an unknown in 2

Question

A TLC experiment was performed using two standard solutions, and an unknown in 25% ethyl acetate/n-hexane. It was then stained with KMnO4. Standard 1 traveled 4.7 cm, and had an Rf of 0.81. Standard 2 traveled 3.1 cm and had an Rf of 0.53. The unknown traveled 5.8 cm and had an Rf of 0.78. Additionally, there was a cospot made in which Standard1,2 and the unknown were all placed on a single dot. This traveled 2.9 cm and had an Rf of 0.5.

Based on this information, what can you conclude? I think I am suppose to be able to determine what the unknown is, but I have no idea how. I know Standard 1 must be the least polar, and Standard 2 is the most polar. That is about all I was able to conclude haha. Help!!

Explanation / Answer

TLC is the technique employed for separation of components in a mixture.

And a more polar component travelled lesser due to formation of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding with stationary phase.

So, polarity order is

Unknown > standard A > standard B

SPOTTING -----> standards are spotted in TLC to check what whether these standards present as a component in mixture. This is done by visualising the spots of mixture which comes at same position as corresponding to standards (if any is present) .

TLC is also employed to determine whether the following reaction is goes to completion or not, and if it goes does it goes successfully or not.

And this is all done by comparing the developing spots of reactants say A and B with developing spot of the product.

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