Paper Chromatography

Procedure:
Colors to be tested: green, blue, red, yellow, orange, and brown M&Ms.
Place two small drops of distilled water on top of each candy and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
While waiting for the M&Ms extract to concentrate, prepare the
chromatographic chamber in a 400-mL beaker as shown in Figure 1.
Prepare the mobile phase by adding 10 drops of 1.0 % NaCl solution to
19 ml of distilled water in a 250-mL beaker. Add the mobile phase to the
400-mL beaker to a depth of about 0.5 cm. Place a strip of filter paper (7
x 9 cm) inside the beaker as shown in Figure 1. Cover the beaker with a
watch glass and wait until the developing solvent (mobile phase)
saturates the filter paper.
Cut another sheet of filter paper (14 x 9 cm). Draw a light pencil line
across the paper about 0.8 cm from the top and bottom of the sheet (see
Figure 2). Using a capillary tube, apply a small spot of the M&Ms extract
on the pencil line near the bottom of the paper (allow about 2.0 cm
distance between each spot). Let each spot dry and reapply the color
concentrate (do this for 2 more times). Note: Avoid overloading! Put a
label below each spot indicating the color of the candy.

Figure 1. Developing
Chamber with Chromatogram

Roll the paper to form a cylinder and use a stapler to join the edges of the cylinder (Note: The two
edges should not touch each other). Place the rolled chromatographic paper into the chamber, making
sure that the spots are not below the solvent level and that the paper is not touching the sides of the
beaker. Cover the chamber with a watch glass. Make sure the beaker remains undisturbed. Monitor the
solvent level from time to time. When the developing solvent rises up to a height approx. 5 mm below the
pencil line at the top of the cylinder, remove the chromatogram from the chamber and open it flat on a
paper towel of tissue to dry. Mark the spots and note their colors.
Measure the distance travelled by the solvent (Figure 3). Measure the distances travelled by the
spots. Calculate the retention factor, Rf, of each of the spots using the formula,
, =
14 cm

0.8 cm

9 cm
2 cm
R

Br

Figure 2. Chromatogram dimensions

0.8 cm
Figure 3. Calculating the retention
factor value

Waste disposal
Dispose of developing solvent directly down the sink with copious running water.
Dispose of used capillary tubes in Broken Glasswares container.

Name:____________________________
Co-workers:________________________

Date Perfomed:_______________
Date Submitted:_______________

Paper Chromatography
NOTE: STAPLE YOUR CHROMATOGRAM IN THIS DATA SHEET!
Developing solvent (mobile phase): _______________
Experimental Results:
M&Ms color

Composition

Red
Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Brown

Dye

Calculated Rf

Tartrazine (yellow #5)

Sunset yellow (yellow #6)
Allura red (red #40)
Brilliant blue (blue #1)

Which other M&Ms color/s contain/s yellow #5 (tartrazine)? _________________________

Calculations: