I have a chemical reaction which was dissolved in DMF. How can I perform TLC for that reaction before I proceed with the workup and evaporate the DMF?
Amirmahdi Tavassoli
Prepare the TLC plate: Cut a small piece of TLC plate (usually made of silica gel or alumina) to a suitable size and mark a baseline about 1 cm from the bottom edge with a pencil. Prepare the developing solvent: Choose a suitable developing solvent that will allow you to separate the compounds in your reaction mixture. DMF is often used as a solvent for TLC, but since your reaction is already dissolved in DMF, you will need to choose a different solvent. Some common solvents for TLC include ethyl acetate, hexane, and methanol. Prepare a small amount of developing solvent in a clean glass container. Apply the sample: Using a capillary tube or micro-pipette, apply a small amount of your reaction mixture to the baseline on the TLC plate. Make sure to apply the sample in a small spot (around 1-2 mm in diameter) and avoid touching the TLC plate with the capillary tube or micro-pipette. Develop the TLC plate: Place the TLC plate in a developing chamber with a small amount of developing solvent in the bottom. The solvent will move up the TLC plate by capillary action, carrying the sample with it. Make sure that the baseline is above the solvent level. Once the solvent front reaches the top of the TLC plate, remove it from the chamber. Visualize the spots: Allow the TLC plate to dry completely. Then, visualize the spots by placing the TLC plate under UV light or by staining with a suitable reagent. Mark the position of the spots with a pencil. Interpret the results: Compare the Rf (retention factor) values of the spots on your TLC plate with known standards or literature values to identify the components of your reaction mixture. If the reaction has not gone to completion, you may see starting materials or intermediates along with the product.
Dear Ahmed Ibrahim ;
To perform TLC on a reaction dissolved in DMF, you can follow the steps below:
Once you have identified the components of your reaction mixture, you can proceed with the workup and evaporate the DMF to obtain the product.
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Chen Jingwen
Hi,
You can add a little bit of reaction liquid in water and then extract with ethyl acetate, and use the ethyl acetate phase for tlc to eliminate the influence of DMF.
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