Question

How can TLC be useful to a synthetic organic chemist beyond identification of unknown samples by matching Rf values to that of a known compound?

Answer 1

TLC analysis can be beneficial to check the purities of the product. Since all the compounds present can be spotted, the extent of impurities present can be estimated. Also, from the intensity of the developed colour at the spot, the relative concentration of product to that of the impurities can be identified. TLC analysis can also be used to identify the relative polarities of similar compounds. Thus, TLC analysis is very useful for an organic chemist for more ways than finding the unknown compound.