Question

Compare the advantages and limitations of column chromatography with those of thin-layer and gas chromatography. Discuss all 3 chromatography methods. When you would use them and in which case is each useful and not useful?

Answer 1

1) Column chromatography contains larger amount of stationary phase or solid phase or adsorbent. Hence it is suitable for preparation. It is a quite simple method and you can try this at home also. Hence it is quiite inexpensive than Gas or Thin layer chromatography. It is better than other chromatographies as it may be used as in both preparative and analytical applications. On the other hand it is very time cnsuming, tediuos vis a vis thin-layer chromatography is fast and effcient.

2) There are 3 branches of Chromatography a) Gas Chromatography . Under Gas Chromatography its would be either Gas liquid or Gas Solid. b) Liquid Chromatography . Under this it can be a) high performance liquid chromatography or reversed phase liquid chromatography. c) Supercritical fluid chromatography.

3) Gas chromatography is useful when volatile samples or the sample which can be made volatile are separated. Liquid Chromatography is expensive than GC. But its accuracy is higher than GC. Supercritical fluid chromatography used only for for separation of chiral molecules,