Exam Question – 4 marks

A student was given three compounds, an aldehyde, a

ketone, and a carboxylic acid.
The student carried out the same two chemical tests on
each compound. This allowed her to distinguish between all
three compounds.
• Describe two suitable tests that the student could have used.
• Show how the observations would allow her to distinguish
between the compounds.
Exam Question
6.3.1.1 Chromatography
Objective:
Explain how different types of chromatography work.
Outcomes:
• Describe how chromatography works in terms of mobile and
stationary phases.
• Explain how the interactions of mobile and stationary phases
causes separation.
• Evaluate the use of different types of chromatography.
Specification Links:
Unit: 6. Organic Chemistry & Analysis
Module: 3. Analysis
Topic: 1. Chromatography & Qualitative Analysis
Specification Links
4.3.1 Types of Chromatography
a. Interpret one-way TLC chromatograms in terms of Rf­ values.
b. Interpret gas chromatograms in terms of:
i. Retention times.
ii. The amounts and proportions of the components in a
mixture.
Chromatography
Chromatography is a technique used to separate
components with similar physical properties from a
mixture.
To do this a mobile phase is passed over a stationary phase
and each compound has a different affinity for each phase.
• A phase is a physically distinct form of a substance.

The stationary phase slows compound movement and the

more interactions there are the more it is slowed down.
• This allows compounds to move at different rates.
 Separation
Solid Stationary Phase
Separate by adsorption as
molecules bind on to the surface.
Stronger adsorption = slower.
Liquid Stationary Phase
Separate by relative solubility as
molecules dissolve into the
phase.
Greater solubility = slower.
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)
A stationary phase of silica gel (SiO2) or alumina (Al2O3) is
coated onto a plate of glass or plastic.
A sample is added to a starting point on the plate which is
then placed into a liquid solvent which will get drawn up.
• At the end the height of the solvent is marked – the solvent
front.
Rf Values
An Rf value shows how far a component has moved relative
to the solvent front:
distance moved by component
Rf 
distance moved by solvent front

This can identify a component as it will always have the

same Rf values, however:
• Similar compounds may have the similar Rf values.
• A suitable solvent is needed to separate the different compounds.
Rf Values
Calculate the values for each of these components three
components.

4.30
Rf   0.89
4.85

Y = 4.85 cm
Green = 1.65 cm Rf 
2.15
 0.44
4.85
Pink = 2.15 cm 1.65
Rf   0.34
Blue = 4.30 cm 4.85
Gas Chromatography
A stationary phase of solid silicone polymers or a liquid long
chain alkane (w/ high B.P.) is coated inside a capillary tube.

A sample is injected and vaporised before being pushed

through the capillary column by a carrier gas (mobile phase).
• An inert/unreactive gas such as He or N2.
Retention Time
The detector at the end records how long it took for a
component to pass through the column (retention time).
• The area below a peak is proportional to the concentration.

The retention time can help identify the component but:

• Chemicals can have the same retention
time, peak shape and detector response.
• One peak can be hidden by others with
the same retention time but a greater
concentration.

To improve results chromatography is often paired with

mass spectroscopy (GC-MS).
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography
(HPLC)