What is the Difference Between Paper Thin Layer and Column Chromatography?

The main difference between paper thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography lies in the stationary phase and the scale of the processes. Here are the key differences:

1. Stationary Phase:

• TLC uses alumina or silica gel as its stationary phase.
• Column chromatography uses physical properties such as size, shape, charge, and molecular weight of the compound to separate, with the column packed with matrix material acting as the stationary phase.

1. Scale:

• TLC is used for analytical purposes and is carried out against gravity.
• Column chromatography can be used for both analysis and purification on a larger scale, running under gravity.

1. Separation Techniques:

• TLC is a planar chromatographic technique that uses a thin layer of adsorbent material, such as silica gel or aluminum oxide, coated on a plate made of glass, metal, or plastic.
• Column chromatography works on a larger scale by packing the same materials into a vertical column. Various sizes of chromatography columns are used, and it is often used to purify compounds made in the lab.

1. Detection:

• The detection of eluents in column chromatography is mostly based on spectrophotometric techniques.

Both TLC and column chromatography are used for the separation of proteins and carbohydrates, with a mobile phase and a stationary phase involved in the processes.

Comparative Table: Paper Thin Layer vs Column Chromatography

Here is a table comparing the differences between Paper Thin Layer Chromatography and Column Chromatography:

Paper chromatography uses cellulose paper as its stationary phase and is based on solid-liquid adsorption and solubility of the compounds. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) also uses solid-liquid adsorption mechanisms and has a stationary phase typically made of alumina or silica gel. Column chromatography, on the other hand, uses physical properties such as size, shape, charge, and molecular weight of the compound to separate them. The stationary phase is a column packed with matrix material, and the wash buffer acts as the solvent phase.