PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY

ILLUSTRATION
OPERATION

Partition chromatography wherein the substances are distributed or partitioned

between liquid phases. One phase is the water, which is held in the pores of the
filter paper used; and other is the mobile phase which moves over the paper.
The compounds in the mixture get separated due to differences in their affinity
towards water (in stationary phase) and mobile phase solvents during the
movement of mobile phase under the capillary action of pores in the paper.
The principle can also be adsorption chromatography between solid and liquid
phases, wherein the stationary phase is the solid surface of paper and the liquid
phase is of mobile phase.
ADVANTAGES

1. One of the major advantages of paper chromatography

is the sensitivity with which compounds can be located
after separation. Amounts as little as 0.1 microgram of
some compounds can be detected with routine reagents.
2. The operation time is small.
3. Cheaper compared to other chromatography methods.
4. Both unknown inorganic as well as organic compounds
can be identified by paper chromatography method.
5. Do not occupy much space compared to other analytical
methods or equipments.
DISADVANTAGES

1. Paper chromatographic techniques cannot be used in separation of

volatile substances such as hydrocarbons and volatile fatty acids.
2. The lower limit for the detection of most compounds is 1-5 microgram.
3. In quantitative analysis paper chromatography is not effective.
4. Complex mixture cannot be separated by paper chromatography.
5. Less Accurate compared to HPLC.