Thin Layer Chromatography | Principle and Methods

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatography technique that separates components in non-volatile mixtures

It is performed on a TLC plate made up of a non-reactive solid coated with a thin layer of adsorbent material. This is called the stationary phase.The sample is deposited on the plate, which is eluted with a solvent or solvent mixture known as the mobile phase (or eluent).This solvent then moves up the plate via capillary action.As with all chromatography, some compounds are more attracted to the mobile phase, while others are more attracted to the stationary phase. Therefore, different compounds move up the TLC plate at different speeds and become separated. To visualize colourless compounds, the plate is viewed under UV light or is stained.
The process for TLC is similar to paper chromatography but provides faster runs, better separations, and the choice between different stationary phases. Plates can be labelled before or after the chromatography process with a pencil or other implement that will not interfere with the process.

There are four main stages to running a thin-layer chromatography plate:

Plate preparation: Using a capillary tube, a small amount of a concentrated solution of the sample is deposited near the bottom edge of a TLC plate. The solvent is allowed to completely evaporate before the next step. A vacuum chamber may be necessary for non-volatile solvents. To make sure there is sufficient compound to obtain a visible result, the spotting procedure can be repeated. Depending on the application, multiple different samples may be placed in a row the same distance from the bottom edge; each sample will move up the plate in its own "lane."

[neetbiologybyrashidbashir]

Hussain biology always brings a simplified version of everything..!

[neetbiologybyrashidbashir]

This is only technique that i have seen working in lab... i remember Islamia College biochemistry lab where 9 out 10 we used to perform chromatography...!

[michaeleisenberg]

Shabir, Thank you 🙏for the interesting video 📹. I should get some of that Dragendorff's reagent 🧪😉.
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