Principle of TLC: Why Different Compounds Separate
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is one of the most widely used analytical techniques in chemistry for separating and identifying components in a mixture. At its core, the principle of TLC is based on how different compounds interact with two key phases, the stationary phase and the mobile phase and how these interactions influence their movement during the chromatographic process. In thin layer chromatography , a sample is applied near the bottom of a plate that is coated with a thin, uniform layer of adsorbent material. Among various adsorbents, silica gel for TLC plates remains the most popular choice because of its high polarity and strong adsorptive properties. The stationary phase typically silica gel for TLC chromatography holds sample compounds through intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions. The plate is then placed in a chamber with a solvent, or a mixture of solvents called the mobil...