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What is Thin Layer Chromatography(TLC)?
Thin-layer chromatography(TLC) is a laboratory technique used to separate the components of a mixture. The mixture is placed on a thin layer of silica gel or alumina, and the components are then separated by their relative solubilities in the solvent. The component that is the most soluble will travel the furthest, and the component that is the least soluble will travel the shortest distance. The components can then be identified by their relative positions on the chromatogram.
Thin Layer Chromatography Principle
The principle behind TLC is that different compounds will move up the plate at different rates, depending on their solubility in the solvent. The most soluble compounds will move the fastest, and the least soluble compounds will move the slowest. This allows the compounds to be separated into bands, with the most soluble compounds in the band at the top of the plate and the least soluble compounds in the band at the bottom of the plate.
Also Read: Adsorption Chromatography – Definition, Types & Examples
