Experience with TLC in the organic lab was enhanced by an order of magnitude using a team approach. Two sets of instructor-chosen solvents were tested for ability to separate benzoin from dihydrobenzoin. One set of solvents was chosen to fail (too great vs no eluting ability, tailing), the other for a reasonable chance of success. Each student in a lab of 18 picked one choice from each category and attempted to separate the binary mixture on 20x40mm Si gel plates. The class generated 26 well-spotted, developed, and visualized plates with predictably good and poor results. Individuals entered Rf values and TLC plates on individual pages and compared results. Individuals experienced personally a poor and a good result and collectively the gamut of the impact of poorly and well-selected solvents on TLC. Pairs completed a worksheet before leaving lab. Enthusiasm and investment in outcome were high. Photos, plates, worksheets are available.

Enhanced learning of TLC by a team approach

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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