Page 118 - phytochemistry general program

funnel, where a solute distributes itself between the moving and stationary phases.
This distribution is different for the various solutes between the two phases, and
hence separation occurs. Thus, the retention mechanism is the partitioning of
solutes between the moving and stationary phases according to the partition
coefficient of the solutes. A component which interacts with the stationary phase is

retarded with respect to others which interact less.

Some advantages of Partition chromatography

Chromatography can be applied to a wide variety of sample types, both polar .1
and non-polar molecules. The basis of this great versatility is due to the large

variety of partitioning phases that are available.

It allows the separation of homologues and mixtures of compounds with .2
different functional groups. While there is no universal partitioning system for all
solutes, there is an almost infinite capability for separation by selecting an

appropriate pair of partitioning liquids.

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