Part B - Separation of plant pigments by paper chromatography. The general princ

Question

Part B - Separation of plant pigments by paper chromatography. The general principle behind paper chromatography is that the solvent used in this experiment., petroleum ether and acetone, is relatively nonpolar. Therefore, the most nonpolar molecule will dissolve in the nonpolar solvent and move up the paper by capillary action. The most polar molecules will be attracted to the polar chromatography paper and will move least. Use the information above and the molecular structure of the 4 major leaf pigments shown in Figure 3 to predict the relative solubilities and separation patterns of the pigments. In order to make correct predictions you may want to review the difference between polar and nonpolar molecules. Chlorophyll b Chlorophyll a Lt Me Me Beta Carotene Xanthophyll Figure 3:Structures of Chlorophylla, b, Beta Carotene and Xanthophyll

Explanation / Answer

1. Molecules from most polar to least polar are chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a, xanthophyll and beta carotene.

2. Chromatogram is polar. So polar molecules will not move much above as they are more attracted to it. So, the order will be reversed- beta carotene, xanthophyll, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse P
• Subjects

---