Name:
Date:
Experiment #:5
Title:Column Chromatography –
Separation and Isolation of Pigments
from Spinach Leaves
Purpose:
In this lab we are going to learn how can we use column chromatography to analyze and separate
compounds. The purpose of the experiment is to first perform a solid-liquid extraction to isolate a
solution of colored pigments from spinach and then separating the pigments in spinach leaves by
applying column chromatography technique. And using TLC to check the purity of individual
components.
Procedure:
1. Took 3.5 g of spinach leaves and tore them into small pieces.
2. Added them to mortar and added some sodium sulfate to pull moisture out of spinach
leaves. Added small amount of sand.
3. Macerated and grinded them with pestle. Continued adding sand and sodium sulfate until
powder seems light green and dry.
4. Transferred the spinach power to flask. Added 20 mL acetone and swirled the flask until the
solvent became green.
5. Decanted the solvent in another flask.
