In thin-layer chromatography (TLC), what is the term for the distance the solute migrates divided by the distance the solvent migrates?

In thin-layer chromatography (TLC), the term that describes the distance a solute migrates in relation to the distance the solvent front travels is called the Rf value, or retention factor. This value is a crucial concept in chromatography as it provides a quantitative measure of the solute's movement on the stationary phase (the TLC plate).

The Rf value is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the solute by the distance traveled by the solvent front. This ratio is dimensionless and typically ranges from 0 to 1. An Rf value close to 1 indicates that the solute travels nearly as far as the solvent, suggesting a high affinity for the solvent. Conversely, an Rf value closer to 0 indicates that the solute has a high affinity for the stationary phase and does not travel far from the origin.

The other terms listed have different meanings in different contexts. For example, tR usually refers to the retention time in liquid chromatography, Kd represents the distribution coefficient in partition chromatography, and pK is commonly used to denote the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant (pKa), which is unrelated to TLC. Therefore, Rf is the appropriate term for this concept in the context of thin-layer chromatography