Question

The elution sequence of a mixture of compounds containing chlorobenzene, anthracene and p-cresol developed of an alumina column using a solvent system of progressively increasing polarity is

• A. anthracene $\to$ chlorobenzene $\to$ p-cresol
• B. anthracene $\to$ p-cresol $\to$ chlorobenzene
• C. chlorobenzene $\to$ p-cresol $\to$ anthracene
• D. chlorobenzene $\to$ anthracene $\to$ p-cresol
• E. p-cresol $\to$ anthracene $\to$ chlorobenzene

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Alumina columm having suitable solvent elutes the species based on their nature of polarity. Less polar species adsorb first and more polar there after. Thus the correct order is:

Anthracene $\rightarrow$ chlorobenzene $\rightarrow p$ -cresol