Question

which is the more polar compound between Benzyl Alcohol and Methyl Benzoate? Which compound would elute from a normal-phase column first and why?

Answer 1

benyl alcohol is mote polar than methyl benzoate

in benzyl alcohol alcohol is the functional group it can from both inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonding

in methyl benzoate ester is the functional group this molecule is polar becuse of dipole moment

in the normal column less polar will come first

because less polar compound is stick less to the silicagel compare to the more polar compound

so methylbenzoate will come first then

benzyl alcohol will come last