Chromatography • A technique exploiting the interaction of the components of a mixture with a stationary phase and a mobile phase (solvent) in order to separate the components. • Components are separated by different levels of adsorption to the stationary phase and solubility in the mobile phase.
Types of Chromatography • Paper Chromatography and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) • Column Chromatography • Gas Liquid Chromatography ( (GLC)) • High Performance Liquid Chromatography ((HPLC)
Thin Layer (and Paper) Chromatography TLC plates are inert supports (glass, plastic, aluminium) with a thin veneer of chromatographic media (silica, etc…)
Thin Layer (and Paper) Chromatography The ratio of distance travelled by the component (from origin) compared with the distance travelled by the solvent front (from origin) is called the Rf value.
Thin Layer (and Paper) Chromatography A solution of a mixture is applied as a spot/band at the bottom of the plate and allowed to travel with the solvent up the plate.
Column Chromatography A mixture is applied to a solid support in a chromatography column and eluted by a solvent.