I would like to know if I am making the correct decision in this matter.
I am used to being spoon fed directions from my procedure outlines of my experiment, but this experiment gives no directions and relies on my ability to outline my own procedure. Something I'm not used to and would like some guidance on.
The mixture I received was clear liquid with yellow tint and somewhat viscous. I was informed that it contains equal volume of two unknown liquids. I preformed solubility tests, ph test, IR spectrum, and a TLC plate with 80% ethyl acetate and 20% hexanes. The compound was not soluble in HCl, NaOH, or water at various temperatures. The ph gave a reading of 7. The TLC showed two separate dots on a silica gel plate. I was led to believe that due to the differing polarities that I could do flash chromatography, but my GTA told me not to with no explanation as to why.
I really want to do flash column chromatography because it seems most viable, the other available options don't seem to be of any use. I can't do acid/base extraction because of ph neutral. I cant do distillation because lack of proper equipment. I can't do sublimation cause we never were even taught about that, and I dont know if its even applicable. I cant do re crystallization because its a liquid. I'm at a loss for what to do.
Should I ignore my GTA and do it anyway? Or is there something I am forgetting or an incorrect assumption I am making?