📋 Workflow
Full workflow, products add-to-cart directly1
Pack and settle the column
30 minPack silica by dry or wet method, tap until bubble-free.
💡 Tip Pre-wet and settle for even packing
⚠️ Caution Air bubbles cause uneven flow and tailing
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2
Load the sample
15 minDissolve crude product in a little solvent and load onto the top bed along the wall.
💡 Tip Dry-load on silica to save solvent
⚠️ Caution Overloading ruins the separation
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3
Gradient elution and collection
1–2 hElute with a polarity gradient, collecting fractions in tubes.
💡 Tip Fix the gradient from prior TLC first
⚠️ Caution Too fast a flow degrades resolution
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4
Combine and concentrate
30 minCombine TLC-identical product fractions and concentrate by rotary evaporator.
💡 Tip Weigh combined product to get recovery
⚠️ Caution Don't pool edge fractions that still contain impurity
🧪 Materials for this step (click to shop by spec/brand)
⚠️ 5 Common Beginner Mistakes
- ① Uneven packing causes edge flow
- ② Overloading tails and fails to separate
- ③ Too steep a gradient overlaps impurities
- ④ Failing to check TLC pools impurity with product
- ⑤ Moisture in solvent worsens separation
❓ FAQ
+How to pick the gradient?
Use TLC to find an eluent giving Rf ~0.2–0.3.
+Can silica be reused?
Not recommended unless reactivated; residual impurities linger.
+Column blocked?
Often precipitate or bubbles; gentle pressure or tapping helps.