Chromatography

Chromatography is a technique used to separate the components of a mixture. It works by partitioning the components of the mixture between two phases, one of which is stationary and the other is mobile.

There are two main types of chromatography: adsorption chromatography and partition chromatography.

Adsorption chromatography is based on the differential adsorption of components of a mixture onto a stationary phase. The components of the mixture that are more strongly adsorbed will travel less distance in the mobile phase than the components that are less strongly adsorbed.

Partition chromatography is based on the differential partitioning of components of a mixture between two phases, one of which is stationary and the other is mobile. The components of the mixture that are more soluble in the stationary phase will travel less distance in the mobile phase than the components that are less soluble in the stationary phase.

There are many different types of chromatography, including thin layer chromatography (TLC) and paper chromatography.

TLC is a type of adsorption chromatography that uses a thin layer of adsorbent coated on a glass plate. The components of a mixture are separated by their differential adsorption onto the adsorbent.

Paper chromatography is a type of partition chromatography that uses a strip of paper as the stationary phase. The components of a mixture are separated by their differential partitioning between the paper and the mobile phase.