Column chromatography in chemistry is the preparative application of chromatography. It is used to obtain pure chemical compounds from a mixture of compounds on a scale from micrograms up to kilograms using large industrial columns.

The classical preparative chromatography column is a glass tube with a diameter from 5 to 50 mm and a height of 50 cm to 1 m with a tap at the bottom. A slurry is prepared of the eluent with the stationary phase powder and then carefully poured into the column. Care must be taken to avoid air bubbles. A solution of the organic material is pipetted on top of the stationary phase. This layer is usually topped with a small layer of sand or with cotton or glass wool to protect the shape of the organic layer from the velocity of newly added eluent. Eluent is slowly passed through the column to advance the organic material. Often a spherical eluent reservoir or an eluent-filled and stoppered separating funnel is put on top of the column.

The individual components are retained by the stationary phase differently and separate from each other while they are running at different speeds through the column with the eluent. At the end of the column they elute one at a time. During the entire chromatography process the eluent is collected in a series of fractions. The composition of the eluent flow can be monitored and each fraction is analyzed for dissolved compounds, e.g. by analytical chromatography, UV absorption, or fluorescence. Colored compounds (or fluorescent compounds with the aid of an UV lamp) can be seen through the glass wall as moving bands.

ADVANTAGES & BENEFITS :

• Selection of particle size to optimize efficiency.
• Large surface area to optimize the capacity.
• Consistent and reproducible retention times to allow direct scale-up from laboratory through process applications.
• Lot-to-lot consistency to assure reproducible performance.
• Bulk quantities for large-scale applications, no scale-up limitation, secured lots offered for process use.

Stationary phase (adsorbent)

The stationary phase or adsorbent in column chromatography is a solid. The most common stationary phase for column chromatography is silica gel & alumina. Also possible are ion exchange chromatography, reversed-phase chromatography (RP), or affinity chromatography. The stationary phases are usually finely ground powders or gels and/or are micro porous for an increased surface.

We offer following Grades for Preparative & Process Chromatography Sorbents:

Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 75-250 um
Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 125-250 um
Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 63–210 um
Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 74 – 150 um
Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 35-63 um
Silica Gel Column Chromatography Grade 37-75 um

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