Question

The correct order of increasing strength of adsorption is ____________

(a) Alkanes >>  Esters >> Aldehydes >> Phenols >> Ketones

(b) Aldehydes >> Phenols >> Ketones >> Esters >> Alkanes

(c) Aldehydes >> Ketones >> Esters >> Alkanes >> Phenols

(d) Alkanes >> Esters >> Ketones >> Aldehydes >> Phenols

The question was posed to me in an interview for job.

This interesting question is from Column Chromatography in section Methods of Purification of Engineering Chemistry I

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) Alkanes >> Esters >> Ketones >> Aldehydes >> Phenols

To explain: the correct order increasing strength of adsorption is: Alkanes >> Esters >> Ketones >> Aldehydes >> Phenols.