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(363147296) Paper Chromatography Lab
(363147296) Paper Chromatography Lab
(363147296) Paper Chromatography Lab
Chromatography
October 2,
2014
at the eluent front and let dry. Measure the height from the 2 inch line that
was drawn on the paper earlier. Observe the colors of the spots where the
8 solutions were and record them. Next, place the paper inside the
ammonia chamber and close it with the plastic wrap and rubber band. Wait
about 5 minutes and take out. Observe the colors and
record again. Measure up from the 2 cm line to the end of where each
color climbed to and record this as well. Determine which cation(s) that
each of the unknown solutions contain by comparing color changes after
the ammonia test.
Safety Considerations: While performing this lab, there were some
safety precautions that needed to be taken. Being that hydrochloric acid is
a strong acid, it can be very harmful to a persons skin and eyes. For this
reason safety goggles were worn, along with lab coats to prevent damage
to clothing. Another chemical used in the lab was ammonia, which can be
damaging if inhaled too much. Because of this, the ammonia chamber was
placed under the fume hood.
Data Tables:
Distance of eluent from origin, Deluent: 5.5 mm
Color
(original)
Color (with
NH3)
Tan
Distance
(mm)
Traveled,
Dion
1.00
Mn2+
Clear
Fe3+
.182
Orange
Brown
0.40
.0727
Co2+
Pink
Light brown
1.10
.200
Ni2+
Blue-green
Light blue
0.90
.164
Cu2+
Light blue
Blue
1.70
.309
Color
Rf
Unknown #1
Unknown #2
Unknown #3
tan
light blue
brown
Ni2+
Fe3+
Observations: The results were brighter and more apparent when the
paper was placed in the ammonia chamber.
Results:
Ratio of Fronts
Rf=Distance from origin to final position of ion
Distance from origin to eluent front
Rf=Dion/ Dsolvent
Rf=1.00 mm/5.5 mm
Rf=.182
Discussion: The cation present in unknown solution 1 was manganese, in
unknown solution 2 was nickel (II), and in unknown 3 was iron (III). These
results were correct because they went along with the colors of those ions
in the known solutions after the tests. One source of error would be that
maybe the paper was not left in each of the chambers long enough which
would cause the distance the ion traveled to be less than what it should be
and therefore the ratio of fronts would be lower. Another source of error
would be that maybe the oils from our hands would have contaminated the
paper and affected the polarities of each of the solutions with the cations.
This would also cause the distance the ion travels to be less.
Questions:
1.)
a.) The developing chamber must be covered during the
development of the chromatogram so that the vapors can reach the
entire paper. This prevents the uneven saturation for each of the
different solutions.
b.) The Rf value will be less than what it should be if the developing
chamber is
not covered because the ammonia/hydrochloric acid solution wont be able
to reach all of the way up the paper.
2.) If the paper touches skin that it can get contaminated and change the
way each of the solutions separate.
3.) A pencil was used to mark the chromatogram instead of a pen
because the ink will spread out and cause an interference with the data
when it gets wet. Using a pencil would prevent this from happening
because its just a solid.
4.) The cation samples are repeatedly spotted and dried because they
need to be able to absorb into the paper and they take time to do this. It
also needs to spread out as well in order to absorb more of the solution.
5.) If the eluent were above the 1.5 cm line, then the distance from the
origin to the final position of the ion would be lower and therefore the
ratio of fronts value in the results would be lower.
6.) The center of the band is used to calculate the Rf value for a cation
because it has a higher concentration of the cations than the leading
edge does.
7.) If two cations have the same Rf value then the best option would be to
use a different type of chamber. Use a solvent that can dissolve only one
of the ions and not the other and the one that reaches highest on the
paper is the more soluble one.
In this lab, the paper chromatography technique was used and the cations
in the unknown solutions were found, therefore, the objectives were met.
From the results, it was concluded that Manganese ions were present in
unknown #1, Nickel (II) ions were present in unknown #2, and Iron (III) ions
were present in unknown #3. It was hard to say whether or not the solution
had more than one cation in it. One way to test for that would be to
conduct multiple experiments and combine it with solutions that each
cation could react with to produce a precipitate and using a centrifuge. If a
precipitate forms that that cation is present and this could be done to more
easily show the presence of 2
or more cations.