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Chromatography
Types of Chromatography
1. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
stationary phase: spread over glass or plastic sheet
mobile phase: liquid; drawn up plate by capillary action
2. Column Chromatography
stationary phase: contained in a column
mobile phase: liquid; passes through column
(gravity or pressure)
3. Gas Chromatography (GC)
stationary phase: contained in a column
mobile phase: gas; passes through column
(pressure)
Column Chromatography
One of the most important methods for purification of organic compounds
Based on same principles that govern TLC, except now stationary
phase packed into a glass column rather than spread over a thin
plate.
- separation based on the distribution of individual components
of the mixture between stationary and mobile phases
- effectively establish an equilibrium for each component
Column Chromatography
Like with TLC:
the more strongly a compound adsorbs to stationary phase, the slower it
will travel
- adsorption is based on interactions of functional groups in the
molecule with the stationary phase (silica or alumina)
hydrogen bonding
electrostatic interactions
coordination
Van der Waals interactions
Also true: the more polar the stationary phase, the faster a compound
will travel
- any compound will spend more time in the mobile phase when
the solvent used is more polar
these two principles are NOT mutually exclusive
(be sure you understand why)
Column Chromatography:
develop
before
after
Column Chromatography
Sample is loaded carefully to the
top of the column
add
collect
1
Chromatography Column
Next Week
DUE:
Lab Reports are due at the beginning of your regular lab session
Experimental Details
Column Assembly
- plug tip with cotton
don't go overboard, solvent must flow through
- clamp column securely
column should be vertical
- add a layer of sand
forms a level bed for the silica
- add dry silica gel
use the small funnel in your micro kit
tap column carefully with pencil as you pour to
remove air bubbles
- solvate silica, by carefully pushing ~10mL hexanes
through the column
do not disturb the sand (use a pipet to add solvent)
apply air pressure Not too much!
do not let the column run dry
Experimental Details
Prepare & Load Sample
- weigh out ferrocene:acetylferrocene mix (get an exact mass)
- mix sample with dry silica & add resulting powder to top of column.
mix well; don't forget to use the funnel
- top sample with a small layer of sand
helps protect sample as you add solvent
- add enough hexanes to just wet the added silica
use a pipet; do not disturb the surface of the silica
works best to run the solvent down the side of the column
Experimental Details
Elute the Column
- first with hexanes, then with an ether/hexane mix
- fit thermometer adapter to top of column to help control air flow
forms a nice seal, but still easy to adjust if pressure gets too high
- apply air pressure
rate of elution should be rapid, but should still see individual drops
do not let the column run dry!
- collect two individual fractions (one yellow, one orange)
tip of the column should sit just below rim of the collection beaker
avoid spatter (messy, lowers recovery)
rinse tip of column fequently with additional solvent
Experimental Details
Isolate fractions
- concentrate using the rotary evaporator
don't forget to weigh (tare) the flask first
- alternatively, blow a gentle stream of air over the sample (not ideal)
Sample cools as solvent evaporated, concentrates water from air
if you choose this method, do it in the hood!
Analyze fractions
- TLC, melting point, and IR
TLC most easily done before you concentrate your fractions
IRs will be distributed
- analysis can be done in any order spread out!
Some Pointers:
Minimize air bubbles when packing column
air pockets cause channelling - can ruin separation
Do not disturb top layer of sand when adding solvent
may cause dilution of sample
separation will be less efficient
Do not let the column run dry
stationary phase may crack; air channels may ruin separation
Be sure to label your fractions!
O
O
2950 cm-1
1740 cm-1
1720 cm-1
position (cm-1)
vibration
functional group
1720 cm-1
C=O
ketone
1740 cm-1
C=O
ester
2950 cm-1
C-H
alkane
- Rf value
Appendix B: Spectra
- Page of IR spectra (provided)
x 100