When should chromatography be used to separate a mixture as opposed to recrytallization, distillation, or extraction?
Recrystallization technique can be used for separation of compounds if one has a greater solubility than the others irrespective of polarity. Distillation can be used if one compound has a lower boiling point than the other one. However, this technique can be used mostly liquid mixtures with the boiling point of one compound is below 150 0C irrespective of polarity difference. Extraction techniques can be used by considering the solubility of the mixture if one is soluble in aqueous medium and the other one is soluble in an organic medium.
The chromatographic technique can be used based on the principle of difference in Rf values of the mixtures. In other words, if compounds have sufficient polarity difference they can be separated by column chromatography or preparative thin layer chromatography.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.