Thin Layer Chromatography Analysis

The purpose of this experiment was to identify the generic name of the unknown drug through thin-layer chromatography analysis. By comparing the Rf values obtained from each TLC plate, it was deduced which components were present in the unknown drug. Through comparison of Table 1 and Table 2, Unknown A was identified as B.C. Tablets. Salicylamide was evident in the unknown substance due to the distinct blue color that was present in both the unknown spot and the salicylamide spot; the similar Rf values provided further evidence for the presence of salicylamide. Given that B.C. Tablets was the only drug that contained salicylamide, it was evident which drug was the unknown. However, the two other spots present in the unknown drug were still identified by calculating and recognizing the similarities in their ratio to front values.
Given that the stationary phase utilized in this experiment consisted of silica gel, a very polar substance due to the large amount of hydroxyl groups present on the surface, more polar components should travel less on the gel. Polarity creates a slight negative atom and a slight positive atom due to the differences in electronegativity. This may cause a more polar component to have a …show more content…
In this experiment, thin-layer chromatography was used to identify the ingredients of an unknown analgesic drug. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is a method of chromatography that utilizes a solid stationary phase and a liquid solvent as a mobile phase. The stationary phase is generally performed on a sheet of plastic, glass, or aluminum, with a thin layer of absorbent on top. Once the substance in question has been applied to the TLC plate, a solvent, known as the mobile phase, is drawn up the plate by capillary action and causes the different components to travel up the plate at different