Analysis

Similar to other chromatographic methods, thin layer chromatography is also based

on the principle of separation.
1. The separation depends on the relative affinity of compounds towards stationary
and the mobile phase.
2. The compounds under the influence of the mobile phase (driven by capillary
action) travel over the surface of the stationary phase. During this movement,
the compounds with higher affinity to stationary phase travel slowly while the
others travel faster. Thus, the separation of components in the mixture is
achieved.
3. Once separation occurs, the individual components are visualized as spots at a
different level of travel on the plate. Their nature or character are identified using
suitable detection techniques.

Although it is a very simple and convenient technique, one of its limitations is

that it cannot tell the difference between enantiomers and some isomers. Another
disadvantage of TLC is that in order to identify specific compounds, the Rf values for
the compounds of interest must be known beforehand.

The Rf values of the analgesic drug sample in polar solvent is and in non
polar solvent is . This shows that they have similar and almost the same rf (Non
polar solvent rf: Polar solvent rf: ) with the standard which is the ibuprofen.
(add lang ug something na mag show na sa lahi lahi na solvent kay nag uban ra sla
and mention about the polarity like explain ngano naa sila s aubos both sa inani na
solvent and ngano naa sila s atass both sa inana na solvent, read my conclusion kay
giecplain nako there, mga 3 sentences lang guro ang about polarity). With this it is
clear that the unknown sample is ibuprofen because……….

One of the most important things to do is to follow the right steps in order to
gain accuracy in the results so for example the developing of the chromatogram took
too long which resulted to the solvent front being unidentifiable this would result to
inaccuracy of rf calculations because the solvent front’s purpose is to make sure that
the solvent would not reach the tip since it might carry the compounds and it will be
impossible to calculate the rf. There is also a chance that the lab assistant would
mistakenly use aqueous ammonia instead of acetic acid, that error would result to .
There are also common errors such as marking the starting line with a ballpoint, this
is an error that would greatly affect and ruin your experiment, the ballpoint has an ink
on it and that ink contains different compounds that would be most likely be carried by
the mobile phase, this presence of unneeded compounds would surely result to
inaccuracy of the result. Another one is when the cap or the watch glass cover were
not replaced while developing a chromatogram, this results to
Conclusion
The unknown sample is ibuprofen because they have a the same rf with the
standard ibuprofen. Even with different solvents the sample still has an rf that is the
same with the standard ibuprofen, the spots and the mobility of the compound can be
explain by polarities. In general, the absorptivity of compounds increases with
increased polarity (i.e. the more polar the compound then the stronger it binds to the
adsorbent). The eluting power of solvents increases with polarity. Therefore, low
polarity compounds can be eluted with low polarity solvents, while higher polarity
compounds require solvents of higher polarity. The stronger a compound is bound to
the adsorbent , the slower it moves up the TLC plate. Non-polar compounds move up
the plate most rapidly (higher Rf value), whereas polar substances travel up the TLC
plate slowly or not at all (lower Rf value). It is indeed very important to consider
following the proper and accurate steps in performing thin layer chromatography since
a little change or an extraneous variable that was not able to be controlled would very
much affect the results and would lead to inaccurate data and conclusion.

References
Chengg (2013). Lab Data Works. Retrieved from https://www.chegg.com/homework-
help/questions-and-answers/-lab-data-13-points-1-draw-developed-tlc-plate-
analgesics-lab-section-903-unknowns-label-f-q34952126
Solano, D. (2015) Organic Chemistry, Retrieved from
https://www.csub.edu/chemistry/organic/manual/Lab8_ChromatographicAnalys
is.pdf
Jushn, L. (2013) Thin Layer Chromatography. Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/en/document/university-of-new-hampshire/organic-
chemistry/other/tlc-key-thin-layer-chromatography-lab-complete-answer-
key/1734236/view
Tumbe, P. (2015). TLC Guide for students. Retrieved from
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/chemistry/5-301-chemistry-laboratory-techniques-
january-iap-2012/labs/MIT5_301IAP12_TLC_Handout.pdf
Bush, L. (2017). Thin Layer Chromatography. Retrieved from
https://www.chemguide.co.uk/analysis/chromatography/thinlayer.html