Question

Why might it be very difficult to observe the separation of cis- and trans-2-butene by TLC?

Answer 1

in order to separate two compounds by TLC the compounds should have higher differences in physical and chemical properties. the following reasons are justification for why we cannot separate cis- and trans-2-butene by TLC

a) cis and trans -2-butenes are having very close physical and chemical properties .

b) the diffenece in polarity of these compounds are also very lesser .

c) both the isomers almost behave similaly in many analytical perfomances.

d) cis and trans isomers are interconvertable by means of changing temperatures .

due to these all reasons it is very difficult to seperate by TLC