Consider the two solvent systems used to elute your tlc plates.
a) which solvent system is more polar, 1: 4 or 1: 9 ethyl acetate: hexanes?
b) compare the rf values of each compound eluted in 1: 4 vs 1: 9 ethyl acetate: hexanes. is there a general trend for the change in rf values of each compound? if so, what is it (for example, always larger in 1: 4 than 1: 9, or always smaller in 1: 4 than 1: 9)? if there is no general trend, summarize the results for each compound.
c) explain any trends in compound rf values as a function of solvent system that you identified in part (b). hint: your answer to part (a) should be incorporated in your explanation.