Thin Layer Chromatography
1. Draw pencil line 1.5cm from bottom of TLC plate + place 2 pencil crosses on the line
2. Place a drop of the purified solid on a watch glass + dissolve in a few drops of solvent
3. Use a capillary tube to place a spot of the solvent on a pencil cross. Allow spot to dry and repeat 3-4 times, ensuring diameter is no more than 0.5cm. This gives a concentrated spot
5. Place solvent in beaker at depth of 1cm
6. Place TLC plate in beaker and cover with lid
7. Allow solvent to run up the plate until it has almost reached the top
8. Remove from beaker + mark the line of the solvent front with pencil
9. Place plate in a fume cupboard until all of the solvent has evaporated and the plate is dry
10. View colourless spot by UV light or with ninhydrin
11. Measure distance from pencil line to spot and from pencil line to solvent front. Calculate Rf values