Paper Chromatography

Chromatography is a technique used to separate molecules on the basis of differences in size, shape, mass, charge, solubility and adsorption properties. In paper chromatography, the mixture is spotted onto the paper, dried and the solvent is allowed to flow along the sheet by capillary attraction. As the solvent slowly moves through the paper, the different compounds of the mixture separate into different coloured spots. The paper is dried and the position of different compounds is visualized. The principle behind the paper chromatography is that the most soluble substances move further on the filter paper than the least soluble substances. Different plant pigments can be separated by using the technique of paper chromatography.

This video explains how to separate and study plant pigments by paper chromatography.