Question 1
Lactic acid, , is the only monomer needed to form the polymer polylactic acid, PLA.
Question (a)
(a)
An impure sample of contains pentan-3-one as the only contaminant. The mixture is analysed using gas/liquid chromatography. The pentan-3-one is found to have a longer retention time than the lactic acid.
Question (i)
(i)
Explain what is meant by retention time.
Question (ii)
(ii)
Suggest suitable substances, or types of substances, that could be used as the mobile and stationary phases.
mobile phase
stationary phase