Regarding Column Chromatography using fluorene and 9-fluorenone: 1) What difficu

Question

Regarding Column Chromatography using fluorene and 9-fluorenone:
1) What difficulty may result if the liquid level of the elutent is allowed to drop below the top of the column?
2) Is fluorene a carcinogen?a mutagen? is 9-fluorenone a mutagen?
3) Petroleum ether followed by dicholomethane is used to separate fluorene and 9-fluorenone. Why would reversing the order in which these solvents are used be unwise? (I think it is because Dicholoromethane is more polar, so it spends less time in the movement phase. Petroleum ether moves faster because its nonpolar)

Explanation / Answer

Column chromatography is a commonly used purification technique in labs across the world. Done right it can simply and quickly isolate desired compounds from a mixture. But like many aspects of practical chemistry, the quick and efficient setting up and running of a column is something that can take years to master. Here we provide some tips and tricks for running a column, troubleshooting for some problems commonly encountered during column chromatography, and some "quick and dirty" alternatives to a full column.

Running a Column

We have previously looked at how to pack a column and how to choose the necessary equipment and solvents. Once you have set this up, you will be ready to load and run your column. Loading the column involves placing the sample directly onto the top of the column and allowing it to absorb onto the silica.

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