RITUAL, Raven Loren 36A

Experiment #4: Extraction of Caffeine from Tea Feb. 19, 2019

(DAY 2)

I. Objectives
● To isolate and analyze caffeine from tea leaves through different methods such as
extraction, filtration and chromatography
● To familiarize students with different techniques and methods
II. Answers to ​Pre-lab Questions Day 2
1. How is thin layer chromatography different from other chromatographic
techniques? Why is this used for this particular experiment? ​Answer: Thin layer
chromatography has the advantage of faster runs, better separations, and the choice
between different stationary phases. Because of its simplicity and speed, Thin layer
chromatography is often used for monitoring chemical reactions and for the
qualitative analysis of reaction products. (P. Surat, 2018)
2. ​Describe what happens to the sample as the mobile phase travels across the plate.
What factors affect the distance traveled by the components of the sample?
Answer: The more soluble compound in the solvent, the faster it will travel up the
plate. The more polar the solvent, the greater its capacity to carry the components of
the mixture with it, “yanking” them away from the solid phase as it moves up.
(Touchstone, J. n.d.)
3. ​Why does the solvent front need to travel uniformly across the plate? What
happens if it does not travel uniformly? ​Answer: If the solvent does not travel
uniformly across the plate, there would be inaccurate Rf values due to the uneven
advance of sample origin spots.
4. ​Why is a multi-component solution used as the mobile phase instead of a pure
solvent? ​Answer: The mobile phase is responsible for moving the sample across the
adsorbent layer. A multi-component solution is important as it assists in the
movement of the components across the adsorbent.
5. ​How is caffeine visualized in the TLC plate? Explain why this visualization
method is possible. Answer: The caffein in the TLC plate was visualized under a UV
light. UV active samples which contain alternating planar double bonds, fluoresce
under UV light and appear mostly green. (Yanza, 2014)

III. Safety Data Sheet

Reagents Physical/Chemical Safety Hazards

Properties

Liquid, colorless, - chloroform Flammable, causes eye and skin

like,
Dichloromethane BP: 40, MP: -97, slightly
(Methylene Chloride) soluble to h20, weight: 84.92
g/mol
irritation, respiratory tract
irritation. Harmful if swallowed.
May be harmful if inhaled. May
cause central nervous system
effects.

Solid, odourless, white weight: Non-flammable, Hazardous in

 105.99 g/mol
Sodium Carbonate MP: 851, soluble in hot water,
glycerol, part soluble in cold
water.
Liquid, Gasoline-like.
Weight:78.11g/mol. Clear
Benzene colorless to light yellow
BP: 80.1, MP: 5.5, Slightly
soluble in cold water.
Liquid, pungent. Weight:
Diethyl Ether 74.12 g/mol, clear colorless,
BP: 34.6, MP: -116.3, soluble
in oil= 0.9, soluble in acetone,
part soluble in cold h2o
Liquid, pungent; vinegar-like.
Weight: 60.05g/mol, BP:
118.1, MP: 16.6, soluble in
Acetic Acid water= -0.2, Easily soluble in
cold water, hot water. Soluble
in diethyl ether, acetone.
Practically insoluble in Carbon
Disulfide.
Liquid, alcohol-like. Weight:
Methanol Mixture 32.04 g/mol, BP: 64.5, MP:
-97.8, soluble in water= -0.8
IV. Procedures (Visualization of Caffeine - DAY 2)
case of skin contact, eye contact,
ingestion and inhalation (lung
irritant)
Flammable, Very hazardous in
case of eye contact (irritant), of
inhalation
Flammable, Hazardous in case of
skin contact, of eye contact , of
ingestion, of inhalation
Flammable, Very hazardous in
case of skin contact, eye contact
(irritant), ingestion, inhalation.
Liquid or spray mist may
produce tissue damage Skin
contact may produce burns.
Flammable, Hazardous in case of
skin contact, eye contact,
ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly
hazardous in case of skin contact.
References:
Surat, P. (2019) Application of Thin Layer Chromatography. Retrieved from
https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Applications-of-Thin-Layer-Chromatography.as
p

Yanza, E. (2014) Survey of Organic Chemistry Laboratory Manual

Touchstone, Joseph C. ​Practice of thin layer chromatography.​ 2nd ed. New York: Wiley,
1983. Retrieved from https://chem.libretexts.org/
.