TLC Plates

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates are tools used in chemistry to separate and analyze mixtures of substances. They are typically coated with a thin layer of silica gel or alumina, which acts as the stationary phase. A small spot of the sample is applied near the bottom, and the plate is placed in a solvent; as the solvent rises, different components move at different rates. This allows chemists to identify compounds based on how far they travel (Rf value).