Question

A student is performing a reaction that will produce a mixture of cis-2-butene and trans-2-butene. The professor observes that the student is preparing a TLC chamber and advises the student to choose a different method for seperating the isomeric products. Explain why the professor gave this advice.

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Answer 1

         Isomers of 2-butene have very low boiling point so they exist as gases at room temperature. It is difficult to put on TLC plate as they have low boiling point. Hence TLC is not suitable to separate the given isomers. Thta is why professor advises the student to choose a different method for seperating the isomeric products.   

        Also isomers cis 2 butene and trans 2 butene have very similar physical and chemical properties, so both the isomers behave similarly for many analytical tests. This makes separation difficult on TLC for these isomers.