How to perform a TLC?

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TLC modelling

Principle: TLC is based on the differences in affinity of a compound between the mobile phase and the stationary phase, leading to a separation of the different compounds of a mixture.

This difference in affinity can be assimilated to a partition constant K of the compound between the mobile phase and the stationary phase:

Amob = Astat

K = [A]stat/[A]mob

The partitioning operation is REPEATED a great number of times, CONTINUOUSLY, thus making it possible to exploit even minimal differences in affinity: each compound of the sample moves at its own speed behind the solvent front.

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