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Frequently Asked Question
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Would petroleum ether or diethyl ether work better as an eluent for column chromatography of isobutanol and isobutyl oleate, as a substitute for ethyl acetate?
Accepted Answer
Petroleum ether would likely be a better eluent than diethyl ether for separating isobutanol and isobutyl oleate in column chromatography. Here's why:
Polarity: Petroleum ether is less polar than diethyl ether. Since isobutyl oleate is less polar than isobutanol, a less polar eluent will help separate the two compounds more effectively.
Solubility: Isobutyl oleate is more soluble in petroleum ether than diethyl ether. This will promote its elution from the column.
Remember, choosing the best eluent for column chromatography often involves experimenting with different options to find the most effective combination.
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