Question

imagine that you were tasked with synthesizing100g of acetylferrocene using ferrocene

1. how would you use TLC to assist with maximizing the yield of the reaction

2.explain

Answer 1

1.

The conversion of ferrocene to acetyl ferrocene is monitored on TLC plate. The reaction is run till the starting material (ferrocene) is completely converted into product (acetyl ferrocene).

2.

On TLC plate, two samples are spotted, one is the starting material (ferrocene) and the other is the reaction mixture. The TLC plate is run at several points during the course of the reaction and the progress of the reaction is monitored.

Initally, only starting material is present in the reaction mixture. During the course of reaction, the intensity of the spot for the starting material in the reaction mixture decreases and the intensity of the product increases. At one time, no starting material can be seen in the reaction mixture. This shows the completion of the reaction.