Separation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Using 2-Dimensional Thin-Layer Chromatography. An Environmental Chemistry Experiment

An experiment for an undergraduate environmental chemistry course is described. Students are given a soil sample from which they extract two (previously added) polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using a Soxhlet apparatus. They determine the identity of the unknown PAHs by comparing the 2-dimensional t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 1999-12, Vol.76 (12), p.1691
Main Authors: Crisp, Geoffrey T, Williamson, Natalie M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
Chromatography
College students
Environmental chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Inhalants
Organic chemistry
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Research Methodology
Science education
Thin layer chromatography
Water
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Summary:An experiment for an undergraduate environmental chemistry course is described. Students are given a soil sample from which they extract two (previously added) polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using a Soxhlet apparatus. They determine the identity of the unknown PAHs by comparing the 2-dimensional thin-layer chromatograms of the soil sample extract and a standard solution, both of which they must run themselves. Definitive identification is given by R f values and fluorescence colors (under 254-nm UV light). The experiment is suitable to be performed by large classes (ca. 30 students) and is, on average, completed in three hours.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed076p1691