Chromatography of chlorophyll
Chromatography separates the pigments in chlorophyll, using the different speeds at which compounds migrate as a solvent carries them through the medium.
The science behind this experiment
Chromatography is a technique used to purify and extract organic and inorganic substances from mixtures. It is based on the different speed of migration of various chemical compounds carried by a solvent (liquid phase) on a substrate (solid phase).
Equipment used
- Iron stand — CHE-037
- Right angle clamp — PLA-016
- Universal clamp — HEA-010
- Mortar with pestle — PLA-013
- Beaker 100 ml — HEA-001
- Watch glass 80 mm — PLA-009
- Conical flask 250 ml — CHE-006
- Dropping pipette with teat — PLA-003+PLA-019
- Glass funnel — PLA-002
- Filter paper square — PLA-027
- Filter paper round — CHE-035
- Spatula — PLA-024
- Paper clip
- Cotton thread
- Adhesive tape
Chemicals and reagents
- Acetone — R:11-36-66-67 S:9-16-26
- Ethanol — R:11 S:7-16
- Diethyl ether — R:12-19-22-66-67 S:9-16-29-33
- Leaves
Safety notes
- Work in a fume cupboard or outdoors.
Questions for students
- Observe. What do the bands consist of?
- Explain briefly the chromatography principles.
What to expect
A series of bands is observed on the paper showing also different colours that indicate the presence of different. Chromatography is based on the different speed of migration of the components due to their molecular interaction with solvents (mobile phase) and substrates (stationary phase). As the paper absorbs the solvent this carries the pigments which in their turn interact with the paper moving with different speeds.
Disposal
Dispose of the filter paper and the solid mass into the solids waste container. Dispose of the solvents into the flammables waste container.
Run this experiment in your classroom
This experiment is part of ATP Volta — a self-contained mobile science lab that turns an ordinary classroom into a working STEM laboratory, with over 200 experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, robotics and engineering. Gali, the AI tutor built into ATP Connect, guides students through each step and answers their questions at the bench.
See the ATP Volta mobile science labTalk to our team