Question 1
A student uses thin-layer chromatography (TLC) to analyse a mixture containing different metal cations. The student repeats the experiment using different solvents.
Fig. 6.1 shows the chromatogram obtained by the student using water as a solvent.
Fig. 6.1
The student repeats the experiment using butan-1-ol as a solvent.
The metal cations do not travel as far up the TLC plate in this experiment.
Suggest why the metal cations do not move as far up the TLC plate with butan-1-ol as a solvent.