thin layer chromatography

Indications

• identification of different substances in a specimen (analytic)
• separation of different compounds in purification & isolation

Procedure

• performed on a sheet of glass or plastic coated with a thin layer of adsorbent material,
• abosorbant materials include
  • silica gel
  • aluminium oxide
  • cellulose
• the layer of adsorbent is the stationary phase
• the sample is applied near the edge of the plate (bottom)
• a solvent or solvent mixture (mobile phase) is drawn up the plate via capillary action
• different compounds in the sample ascend at different rates, thus separation is achieved

More general terms

• liquid chromatography