Column Chromatography

Question

Increasing polarity of eluent in column chromatography generally:

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1. **Stationary Phase**: Typically highly polar ($e.g.,$ Silica gel or Alumina).
2. **Adsorption**: Polar solutes stick strongly to the stationary phase, while non-polar ones move faster.
3. **Mobile Phase (Eluent)**: Its job is to 'carry' the solutes down the column.
4. **Polarity Effect**: A **more polar solvent** is more competitive. It interacts more strongly with the stationary phase sites, effectively 'displacing' the adsorbates.
5. **Outcome**: Higher eluent polarity reduces the retention of all compounds, especially polar ones, causing them to **elute faster** (move down the column more quickly).

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Column Chromatography

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