Why Didn't my Chromatography Experiment Work Properly?
Not what you're looking for?
I did a lab on column chromatography and thin layer chromatography, and our sample was a spinach extract.
I am trying to figure out if there is a correlation between the partition coefficient and the Rf used in thin layer chromatography. Is there one?
For the column chromatography we used a 9:1 hexane: acetone, thenn 1:1 hexane and acetone, then used methanol. We got three fractions and ideally the colors were supposed to be yellow for the 9:1, green for 1:1: and finally light green for methanol. Instead we got light yellow, light green, even lighter green. Why did that happen?
When I did the thin layer chromatography, only the spinach extract and the 9:1 actually moved up the plate. Nothing happened for the 1:1 and the methanol. I did repeatedly place the sample on the spot, but I don't understand what went wrong?
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
Issues experienced by a student during a chromatography experiment are discussed in detail.
Solution Preview
Hello,
There is a very rough correlation between partition coefficient and Rf, but it would be difficult to quantify (put into actual numbers). As long as you are using the same kind of silica gel on the TLC plate as you are using on the column, the separations should be fairly similar. The common practice is to use the TLC to find the solvent ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Organic Chemistry Naming: Alkanes
This is a quiz which is designed to assist students with learning the nomenclature used to identify organic compounds. This quiz focuses on the organic compounds called Alkanes.
Thermochemistry
The quiz helps in revising basic concepts about thermochemistry.
General Chemistry - Classification of Matter
This test will assess your knowledge on the classification of matter which includes elements, compounds and mixtures.
Match Elements with their Symbols
Elements are provided: choose the matching one- or two-letter symbol for each element.
Functional groups in Organic Chemistry
You will be tested on the names of functional groups in Organic Chemistry. It is very important to know the functional groups to understand Organic reactions.