Identification Of Analgesic Compounds Using Thin Layer Chromatography
Title Identification of Analgesic Compounds Using Thin Layer Chromatography Abstract The objective of laboratory experiment six was to identify an unknown analgesic tablet using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) analysis. The procedure involved preparing TLC plates, solubilizing standard analgesics (ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine) and the unknown in isopropyl alcohol (IPA), and developing the plates in acetone. Rf values were calculated for each compound. The unknown tablet showed an Rf value of 0.584, closely matching that of caffeine (0.600), suggesting similar polarity. The findings indicated that the unknown tablet likely contains caffeine or a closely related compound. Materials and Methods The materials required to complete
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To begin, the ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and unknown tablets were all ground into fine powders using a mortar and pestle. Afterward, each of the five fine powders was solubilized with IPA, shaken, and left to sit for approximately 10 minutes to ensure solubilization. While the powders were being solubilized, two developing chambers were prepared. Each chamber was dowsed with approximately 5 mL of the eluent acetone and then covered with aluminum foil to maintain vapor pressure. The TLC plates were then cut to the appropriate proportions (XXXX) and marked with the origin line (0.5cm from the bottom of the plate), solvent front line (1cm from the top of the plate), and spot markers with labels (points 1-5, 0.5cm apart). Once the five solutions …show more content…
Each of the spots appeared at varying distances from the origin, indicating differences in polarity and interaction with the stationary phase. Based on data from the Rf values and corresponding spot locations, it is within reason to interpret that the unknown has similar properties as caffeine. It should also be noted that the fine powder visualizations showed similar characteristics between the unknown tablet and caffeine as well. Both were cloudy white upon solubilization whereas the aspirin and acetaminophen were lighter and less cloudy, and the ibuprofen was not cloudy at all and had a red
To begin, the ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and unknown tablets were all ground into fine powders using a mortar and pestle. Afterward, each of the five fine powders was solubilized with IPA, shaken, and left to sit for approximately 10 minutes to ensure solubilization. While the powders were being solubilized, two developing chambers were prepared. Each chamber was dowsed with approximately 5 mL of the eluent acetone and then covered with aluminum foil to maintain vapor pressure. The TLC plates were then cut to the appropriate proportions (XXXX) and marked with the origin line (0.5cm from the bottom of the plate), solvent front line (1cm from the top of the plate), and spot markers with labels (points 1-5, 0.5cm apart). Once the five solutions …show more content…
Each of the spots appeared at varying distances from the origin, indicating differences in polarity and interaction with the stationary phase. Based on data from the Rf values and corresponding spot locations, it is within reason to interpret that the unknown has similar properties as caffeine. It should also be noted that the fine powder visualizations showed similar characteristics between the unknown tablet and caffeine as well. Both were cloudy white upon solubilization whereas the aspirin and acetaminophen were lighter and less cloudy, and the ibuprofen was not cloudy at all and had a red