Column Chromatography Lab Report

Introduction In a chromatographic separation process, different kinds of functional groups and number of functional groups of molecules will determine the separation. Depending on what kind of solute, solvent, and adsorbent used, molecules will experience the interaction during dynamic equilibrium. On a TLC plate, capillary tube is used to transfer o- and p- hydroxyacetopheone, taking advantage of capillary force to make small spotting. A 30:70 ether acetate: petroleum ether is used as a solvent, which will not interact with surface of the silica gel due to a characteristic of non-polar. When they are desorbed, that is, when there is no interaction between the surface of the silica gel and the molecules of interest, in that situation molecules are moving with the solvents through the system because solvents is always moving passed the
Mobile liquid phase is always passed stationary phase during chromatography. Developed TLC plate is then observed under short wave ultraviolet light, where most TLC plates contain fluorescent mixed with silica gel that allow to glow green color. Compounds will absorb the UV light and appear as dark spot against the green color TLC plate. In a column chromatography, cotton and sand is placed in purpose of holding silica gel and prevent leakage of adsorbent particles. Dry loading is then applied to the column to eliminate applying the polar solvent as well as to allow separation to have enough time and space in process of dissolving and loading. At the beginning of the chromatography, petroleum ether, 8%tBME/petroleum ether, and pure tBME are used respectively. As the solvent pass down the column, differential interaction of the compounds with silica gel allows to