Column Chromatography

Column chromatography is a technique that uses a packed column to separate compounds based on their interactions with a stationary phase, which is usually in the form of microscopic beads. The spaces between the beads are filled with solvent. Opening the column allows the solvent to flow through the stationary phase. When a mixture is applied to the top of the packed column followed by more of the solvent, the mixture moves into the mobile phase and flows through the stationary phase.

Each component of the mixture interacts with the stationary phase in a different way. Some components have weak interactions with the stationary phase and so move quickly through the column, while others have strong interactions with the stationary phase and thus move more slowly. This separates the different compounds into bands, which are collected in small fractions. This enables the purification of each compound.

So, what kind of properties can be used to separate mixtures? One of the most commonly used properties is polarity. For this, silica gel, which is a form of silicon dioxide, is often used as the stationary phase. Silica gel interacts with compounds by dipole-dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding through the -OH groups that form on its surface. Thus, polar compounds will interact strongly with the stationary phase, while non-polar compounds will interact weakly.

Other properties that can be exploited for separation include size, charge, and hydrophobicity. A common way to load the stationary phase into the column is as a slurry of the stationary phase and solvent. Then, the stationary phase is packed by flowing more solvent through the column to compact the slurry. It is essential that the stationary phase is packed uniformly without air bubbles, empty channels, or dry patches. These can disrupt flow and cause mixing of bands.

When choosing a column, the diameter is based on the volume of the sample to be separated. The sample should cover the top of the column in a thin, even layer. A thicker sample layer leads to broader bands. The column length depends on how well the compounds separate on the stationary phase. Compounds with similar affinities for the stationary phase require a long column for adequate separation. However, a mixture of compounds with very different affinities for the stationary phase can be separated on a shorter column.

In this lab, you will explore column chromatography by first packing and preparing a silica gel column. Then, you'll use your column to separate the colored components in green food dye.