In: Chemistry
"Pure n-hexane as a red liquid, silicone as a static phase. Please predict and explain the order of the following substances: (1) Benzoic acid (2) Salicylic acid (3) Naphthalene"
In normal phase chromatography we are using n-hexane as mobile phase and silicone as stationary phase.
In elution with n-hexane initially nonpolar compound among the all the three compounds elute first (Naphthalene) (nonpolar) least polar.
Next benzoic acid will be eluted as it possess only carboxylic acid function which comes next in polarity (least polar compared with salicylic acid.
Next salicylic acid will be eluted because it possess hydroxy group in addition to carboxylic acid, which increases the polarity of the salicylic acid when compared with benzoic acid.
The normal phase column chromatography involves elution of compounds in the increasing order of the polarity. Polarity can be measured approximately depends on the functional groups present.
Compounds with out hetero atom (O, N, F etc) and the functional groups presence (carboxylic acid, amine, alcohol etc) increase the polarity of the corresponding compounds in their respective properties.
In reverse phase column chromatography the separation is complete opposite takes place.