J.V. DE GUZMAN
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES, DILIMAN QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES
DATE PERFORMED: FEBRUARY 11, 2015
INSTRUCTORS NAME: ALLAN KENNETH REGUNTON
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
1. Why is the chromatogram developed in an essentially closed
system?
The chromatogram is kept in an essentially closed system in
order to prevent it from acquiring contaminants and other substances
that can hinder in the separation of the organic pigments. It also
prevents the developing solvent used from evaporating since most
solvents used in paper chromatography are highly volatile, and some
can be flammable and toxic.
2. What are the considerations in choosing a chromatographic
solvent?
The chromatographic solvent holds large significance in
separating the components of the sample. If the solvent is polar, the
spots will all at the top of the plate only and if nonpolar, the spots will
still be at their initially positions. In both cases, R f will be zero. As
such, polarity must be taken into consideration when choosing the
appropriate solvent. Usually, the chromatographic solvent is a mixture
of polar and nonpolar solvents combined in appropriate ratio. The
properties of the compound to be separated must also be taken into
account since it will help identify the appropriate ratio of the polar and
nonpolar components of the chromatographic solvent to be used. The
nature of the solid support is also of important consideration because it
will help in providing the appropriate concentration of solvent without
degrading the material.
3. Compare and contrast between normal phase and reverse
phase chromatography.
Normal phase and reverse phase chromatography both take
advantage of the polarity of the constituents of the sample and make
use of a stationary and mobile phase to separate them from each
other. In normal phase chromatography, the stationary phase is the
polar part while the mobile phase is less or nonpolar. However, in
reverse phase chromatography, the reverse is true: the stationary
phase is the less or nonpolar while the mobile phase is polar.
4. Explain how iodine crystals help to visualize the other
pigments.
Iodine crystals will form iodine vapor which in turn will form a
Virtual
ChemBook:
Elmhurst
College.
[Online].
2003.
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/213organicfcgp.html
(accessed February 15, 2015).
University of Toronto Scarborough. Thin Layer Chromatography Theory.
Chemistry
Online
UTSC.
[Online].
2014.
http://webapps.utsc.utoronto.ca/chemistryonline/tlc.html
(accessed
February 15, 2015).