TLC-The Basics MIT Digital Lab Techniques Manual
[MUSIC PLAYING] PROFESSOR: Thin Layer Chromatography, or TLC, is a common analytical technique used in organic laboratories. TLC can be helpful when you are trying to identify the components of a mixture or assess the purity of a sample. It is also used to monitor both reactions and purifications. It can take some time to become a pro at TLC, but this video should help to familiarize you with the basic technique. TLC plates are composed of a thin layer of a polar adsorbent, either silica or alumina, which has been bound to a plate of solid support, generally plastic or glass. In most cases, a fluorescent powder is also mixed in with the adsorbent to aid with visualization, as you will see later in this video. A sample is applied to a TLC plate using a thin glass spotter. Micropipets, such as the one shown here, can be used and are conveniently commercially available. However, in many laboratories, TLC spotters are prepared by heating and pulling capillary tubes or disposa...