Calculate the Rf value of compounds X and Y based on information (X travels 0.5.0 cm, Y travels 1.0 cm from the origin line; the solvent front is 3.0 cm). Comment on the polarity and separation of X and Y on the TLC plate.

Retention factor or value is defined as the ratio of distance traveled by the unknown to the distance traveled by the solvent front.

Putting in the values we get:

As the value of Y is more than X , it follows that Y compound will be retained less strongly than the compound X. Thus Y is more polar than X.