7.7: Thin Layer Chromatography
- Page ID
- 93205
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| Place a small portion of solvent (\(5\)-\(10 \: \text{mL}\) for this chamber) into a TLC chamber with lid, along with a cut piece of filter paper. | Dissolve liquid or solid samples (1 drop per \(\sim 1 \: \text{mL}\) solvent) using a low boiling solvent (e.g. acetone or dichloromethane). |
Draw a pencil line on a TLC plate \(\sim 1 \: \text{cm}\) from the bottom with a ruler, and mark the lanes. Don't put lanes too close to the edge or to each other. Spot a dilute sample on the pencil line of the correct lane, making very small spots (\(2 \: \text{mm}\) in diameter). Rinse the spotter with a solvent (e.g. acetone) if going to use it for another sample. |
Place the sample in the TLC chamber with forceps, cap it, and leave it alone. Remove the plate when the solvent line is \(\sim 0.5 \: \text{cm}\) from the top. Immediately mark the solvent line with a pencil. Visualize if necessary. |