Please answer clear writing Technique THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRA

Please answer clear writing

Technique: THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

a. Define the technique b. Does it have an acronym? If so what is it c. Qualitative or quantitative? Explain d. Is it use for solid, gas or liquids e. Especial Equipment and glassware need it? f. Limitations

Solution

a. Thin Layer Chromatography is a separation technique used to separate non-volatile mixtures.It consists of a stationary phase made by applying a thin layer of silica gel on a glass plate and the Mobile phase ( the solvent/mixture of solvents under observation). The mobile phase travels up the stationary phase due to capillary action of the liquids.

b. This technique is often known by its acronym TLC

c. TLC is a qualitative analysis. It is used to know the no. of components in a mixture and their identity using the R_f (retention factor) values. However, more quantitative analysis can be carried out using an advanced version of TLC called HPTLC ( high performance thin layer chromatography)

d. It is used for liquids . It is considered as an easy way to separate components of a mixture of solvents

e. TLC makes use of a glass plate which is dipped in an aborbent material like silica gel or alumina. This serves as a stationary phase and a drop of mixture is introduced on it which travels up and different components gets separated based on their R_f values. However, no special or complicated equipments are needed to perform TLC

f. TLC is a simple experiment used only for qualitative analysis. Few of its limitations are as following:

* One must have a reference material in hand consisting of R_f values of various solvents in order to identify the components of the mixture under observation.

* The stationary phase is not very long and so most components may not get separated

* This technique cannot separate isomers and enantiomers

* Changes in atmospheric conditions may cause interference with the results