Question

Of the 3 ferrocene derivatives, [Select] will have the lowest Rf while will have the highest Rf. ✓ [ Select] Ferrocene Acetylferrocene Diacetylferrocene

Answer 1

Answers:

ferrocene = highest Rf value; elutes fastest from the column

acetyl ferrocene = mid-value; elutes second fastest from the column

diacetyl ferrocene = lowest Rf value; elutes slowest from the column.

Explanation:

The Rf value depends on the polarity of the compounds. More polar the compound, less Rf value it will have and more non-polar the compound, high Rf value it will have.

Ferrocene is a nonpolar compound while acetyl ferrocene is a polar compound due to the presence of the carbonyl functional group which is polar in nature. Diacetyl ferrocene has two acetyl groups and thus it is more polar than acetyl ferrocene.

Hence polarity of ferrocene, acetyl ferrocene, and diacetyl ferrocene is in the order

Ferrocene < acetyl ferrocene < diacetyl ferrocene

The order of Rf value will be

Ferrocene > acetyl ferrocene > diacetyl ferrocene

Compounds having the highest Rf value elute from the column first followed by those compounds which have less Rf value.

Order of elution:

Ferrocene > acetyl ferrocene > diacetyl ferrocene