Question

Explain volatility as it pertains to the TLC solvent and how that affects the mobile phase and R_f values.

Answer 1

if TLC solvent mixture containing polar and non-polar solvents,

if non-polar TLC solvent is evaporated, then polarity of the solvent mixture is increased, therefore compound will move faster in TLC plate compare to expected, as a result retention factor will be more

if polar TLC solvent is evaporated, then polarity of the solvent mixture is decreased, therefore compound will move slower in TLC plate compare to expected, as a result retention factor will be lesser