New Dimension in the World of Chromatography: Flash Chromatography

Chromatography in today’s world has taken completely new dimension. With the advent of new technologies, new methods are being adopted for separating compounds from any substance, whether it is in liquid or solid form. But in case of flash chromatography, the process is usually done with the mixture of two solvents, where one is polar while the other one is non-polar. This method is also called as the state of art. In this method the solvent is pressurized down the column with the help of external air pressure. This will isolate the desired organic compound from the solvent. The solvent choose to be used for the flash column chromatography process depends on the retention factor and it is calculated by measuring the distance covered by the solvent as well as the sample. Some of the solvents which can be used in the process are petroleum, Pentane, Acetate, Hexane and many more. It is a must that all of these solvents have to be used in combination with Ether.  


It is also called as medium pressure chromatography. It differs from the other techniques as the silica gel granules used in this technique is slightly smaller and this is the reason that the flow of solvent is restricted. In this technique pressurized gas is also used for driving the liquid through the stationary phase. Flash chromatography is frequently used nowadays as it is an easy process and the equipment’s required for this process comes in pre-packed plastic cartridges. The solvent obtained in the process is pumped up with the help of cartridge. The unnecessary solvent can be easily flushed out with the help of pressurized gas.  Gradient pumps were introduced, and it enhanced the separation result as now it was quicker and less solvent was used. Flash chromatography can although not be compared with the latest High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), but it definitely improves the purity of samples to quite an extent. 

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