Thin-Layer Chromatography Was Used to Determine the Best Solvent System

Thin-layer chromatography was used to determine the best solvent system for purification of a mixture by column chromatography.  One spot was observed near the origin using hexanes, one spot near the solvent front using ethyl acetate, and two spots separated using 1:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate.  Which statement accurately describes the observations?

A) Hexanes are too nonpolar because the compounds in the mixture had a higher affinity for the mobile phase.
B) The 1:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate mixture decreased the compounds' affinity for the mobile phase relative to ethyl acetate.
C) Ethyl acetate is too polar because the compounds in the mixture had a higher affinity for the stationary phase.
D) The 1:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate mixture increased the compounds' affinity for the stationary phase relative to hexanes.

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