Talk:Thin-layer chromatography

Basis
On what basis does tlc separate chemicals? Polarity? Charge? Size?... Aaadddaaammm 05:46, 3 September 2006 (UTC)
 * Mostly polarity. --Slashme (talk) 10:57, 30 June 2008 (UTC)

I changed the word "dye" to "compound," since "dye" usually refers to an organic compound. Also, it is not the spots themselves that fluoresce, but the Zinc Silicate added to the adsorbent. Mihovil 02:50, 19 September 2006 (UTC)

The TLC separation can be based on different techniques but the most common on a straight phase TLC plate is distribution (between stationary and mobile phase). There are several issues in the rest of the text too, i.e. correct is, that the fluorescence indicator does the fluorescing (can be caused by different fluorescing substances) of the layer but the spots (usually named 'fractions') on the plate can emit light if illuminated by a suitable wavelength or often have been derivatized to do so after chromatography (post chromatographic derivatization). To find more/accurate information about TLC (the modern version is called HPTLC = high performance TLC or Planar Chromatography) have a look at www.camag.com. If you want permission to copy from our website, please send us an email (info@camag.com) and then I can send you a nice picture of a TLC separation... PJ 27/Sep/06

After reading your explanation of TLC and HPTLC I am confused about the differences. Is HPTLC simply a way to automate separation and detection? Your reply is appreciated. November 17th, 2008 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 198.238.119.117 (talk) 20:53, 17 November 2008 (UTC)

Apropriate Solvant merger
Hi. I just merged the AS page with this one, as per request. If someone who has knowledge on this subject could cleanup my edits, I'd appreciate it.--C.lettinga 05:32, 15 December 2006 (UTC)

Explanation of theory
I made some changes in the explanation of the TLC theory. It was wrongly explained. I hope everybody agrees with this Krulkrul 13:41, 28 October 2007 (UTC).


 * The part about complete reversal of elution order was indeed problematic at best. However, it looks like you've omitted (or removed by oversimplifying) some important parts of how it works. First, you have removed details about how the experiment is run. Second, you have only considered the analyte vs mobile-phase competition (for stationary-phase binding), removing the commentary about partioning effects of the analyte between the stationary and mobile phases. DMacks 21:46, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Plate preparation
This may just be me, but can someone explain to me the purpose of the last sentence in the section Plate Preparation? It just seems redundant: obvious for people who know what stationary and mobile phases are, and yet useless for people who require elaboration on what they are, and particularly the phases in TLC. Nonagonal Spider (talk) 04:53, 16 October 2008 (UTC)

What is partition?
My lecturer said we were using a partition technique. What does this mean? We used a silica coated plate to compare lipids —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.144.150.50 (talk) 18:49, 26 November 2008 (UTC)
 * Refers to Partition coefficient of each lipid between the stationary (silica) and mobile (whatever solvent) phases. It's a property that is different among the various lipids, and causes each one to move at different rates along the plate. DMacks (talk) 20:25, 26 November 2008 (UTC)

Medicinal plants
TLC ist mostly used to identify medicinal plant and extracts thereof for the purpose of authentication and not so much as a general technique to analyze unknown plants constituents. Often TLC methods are compendial protocols e.g. in pharmacopeias. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Osterluzei (talk • contribs) 17:43, 6 February 2011 (UTC)

Lead section and organization
The lead section is rather detailed and much of the information could be moved to a different section of the article. As well, it may be good to have a section on different stationary phases (discussing reverse/normal phase and material) as well as another on mobile phases (eluting strength and solvent selectivity groups) to better organize the overall article. I may work on these edits if I get the chance --Dvnyn (talk) 03:02, 7 January 2023 (UTC)

Edit: Upon thinking about this more, I plan on re-organizing the information contained in the current lead section to other sections and writing a shorter lead section. I will also add some more detail on what the different TLC visualization methods (particularly the stains) do. Finally, I may add a short paragraph on common solvent systems and different solvent groups. Dvnyn (talk) 03:08, 11 March 2023 (UTC)

Wiki Education assignment: CHEM 300
— Assignment last updated by RS UBC800 (talk) 21:13, 2 April 2023 (UTC)