Thin Layer Chromatography Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Thin Layer Chromatography?
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is a powerful analytical technique used to separate and identify components of a mixture. It is an inexpensive and fast method of separating, identifying and quantifying components in a variety of mixtures. TLC is often used in the analysis of various compounds such as drugs, pesticides, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins.TLC works by taking advantage of the fact that different compounds have different affinity for a stationary phase (usually silica gel or alumina) that is coated on a glass plate. A sample solution containing the compounds of interest will be applied to the plate in either liquid or vapor form. The compound will then travel across the plate due to capillary action caused by differences in polarity between the stationary phase and mobile phase (solvent). Different compounds move at different rates depending on their respective affinities for the stationary phase which allows them to be separated from one another.Once separation has occurred, identification can be made by comparing retention times with reference standards as well as observing any visible spots under UV light or other forms of visualization methods. Quantification can also be determined if calibration curves are created prior to analysis using solutions containing known concentrations of each component in question. Additionally, TLC can also be used to confirm purity or detect impurities in samples by comparing chromatograms obtained from pure samples with those that contain unknowns. In conclusion, Thin Layer Chromatography offers many advantages over other techniques such as its low cost, speed and relative simplicity making it an attractive technique for many applications including drug discovery and quality control laboratories around the world.