Thin Layer Chromatography
Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is a chromatographic technique for separating mixture components that uses a thin stationary phase supported by an inert backing. It can be done on an analytical scale to track the development of a reaction, or on a preparative scale to purify small amounts of a product. TLC is a popular analytical tool because of its simplicity, low cost, great sensitivity, and rapidity of separation. TLC works on the same concept as all chromatography: a molecule has varying affinities for the mobile and stationary phases, which affects the rate at which it migrates.