Chromatography and Spectroscopy Flashcards
Use of chromatography
Used to seperate a mixture into its different components.
TLC stationary and mobile phase
Mobile- liquid solvent
Stationary- thin layer of solid adsorbent substance (silica SiO2 or alumina Al2O3) coated on inert solid support.
How does seperation work
Adsorption meaning
A solid stationary phase separates by relative adsorption
A liquid stationary phase separates by relative solubility
(tlc is always adsorption as it is always a solid stationary phase)
The attraction between the adsorbant layer and the components in the mixture.
Different components in mixture adsorb differently to surface of stationary phase.
Describe movement of molecule that is highly adsorbed
- Smaller distance travelled
- Move slowly
(The stronger a component reacts with the stationary phase, the less distance it travels)
Factors affecting movement up plate
Polarity*
Temperature
Solvent
Solid adsorbant coating
- Adsorbent layer is polar, so if component is polar, it can form hydrogen bonds with stationary phase, increasing adsorbance.
Carrying out TLC
1) Take a TLC plate and using a pencil to draw a base line (2cm above bottom)
2) Use a capillary tube and drop a small volume of sample onto base line
3) Prepare chromatography tank- solvent in a beaker with watch glass placed on top
4) place TLC plate into beaker with watch glass on top. Base line must be above solvent level
5) Allows solvent to rise up plate then mark solvent front with a pencil.
Compounds can then be identified using an Rf value
Chromatography paper sprayed with developing agent e.g., ninhydrin, produces a deep blue or purple stain, which makes it easier to identify spots.
Ways to improve chromatography practical
Wear plastic gloves to prevent contamination of hands to plate
pencil line –solvent doesnt interact/ dissolve pencil line
tiny drop – prevents spread of components and overlap
Depth of solvent– if the solvent is above base line it will dissolve/wash the sample spots off the plate.
lid– to prevent evaporation of toxic solvent
dry in a fume cupboard as the solvent is toxic
UV lamp used if the spots are colourless and not visible
Rf value (Retention factor)
- What it shows
- How to calculate
- Limitations
Component identified by comparing its Rf value to known Rf values for same solvent and absorbant system.
Rf value: Distance moves by component / distance moved by solvent front
Similar molecules have very similar Rf values- inaccurate
If spots merge, difficult to tell where one ends and one starts
Use of gas chromatography
Used to seperate and identify volatile organic compounds in a mixture
Gas chromatography stationary and mobile phase
Stationary - thin layer of liquid or solid absorbed onto inert solid support
Mobile phase- inert carrier gas (He,Ne)
Retention time definition
Time for component to travel (through capillary component) from injection to detector of chromatograph
Seperation in gas chromatography: solid vs liquid stationary phase
Solid stationary phase: seperation by adsorption
Liquid stationary phase: seperation by relative solubility
Gas chromatography with a solid stationary phase
Components with strong adsorption dont travel as far/fast and have greater retention time
Gas chromatography with liquid stationary phase
Components with greater relative solubility (dissolve more) have longer retention time.
“like dissolve like”
Liquid Stationary phase dissolves most similar
e.g.
Liquid alkane stationary phase dissolves propane (alkane) most readily as london forces form between them, slowing component
How does gas chromatography work
- Sample injected into gas chromatograph.
- Mobile inert carrier gas carries it through the capillary column which contains the liquid stationary phase absorbed onto the solid support.
- components slow down as they interact with the liquid stationary phase
- more soluble, the slower it moves, the longer the retention time
Limitations of gas chromatography
- some chemicals have same r.t so can’t tell them apart
- unknown substances don’t have reference peaks
THEREFORE, often used alongside mass spectroscopy
TLC and Gas chromatography stationary and mobile phase
TLC
mobile- liquid solvent
Stationary- layer of solid adsorbent (silicon) on inert solid support
Gas
mobile- inert carrier gas (Ne, He)
stationary- h.b.p liquid absorbed or solid on inert solid support