A research chemist synthesises a topical anaesthetic and analyses its purity using thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
The chromatogram shows:
- Lane A: Pure reference standard of the anaesthetic
- Lane B: Crude reaction mixture before purification
- Lane C: Purified product recrystallised from ethanol
Based on the chromatogram, which of the following statements correctly identifies the Rf R_f\,Rf value of the active anaesthetic and evaluates the success of the purification?
The RfR_fRf value of the active anaesthetic is 0.400.400.40, and Lane C represents a pure sample of the anaesthetic because it contains only a single spot that matches the RfR_fRf of the standard.
The RfR_fRf value of the active anaesthetic is 0.400.400.40, but Lane C is still an impure mixture because it contains only one of the three components from the crude mixture.
The RfR_fRf value of the active anaesthetic is 2.502.502.50, and Lane C represents a pure sample of the anaesthetic because it has a single spot.
The RfR_fRf value of the active anaesthetic is 0.600.600.60, and Lane B represents the pure product since it has the spot that travelled the furthest.