Answer to Question #61794 in Chemistry for Felix

Question

Which of the following is helpful in establishing the purity of a compound

Answer 1

The purity of a compound can be established using data from its melting point or boiling point and from thin layer chromatography.

Impure compounds have a range of melting points and boiling points, as the different substances they contain melt or boil at different temperatures. They may even interfere with each other's melting and boiling points. On the other hand, pure compounds have definite melting points and boiling points.
Thin layer chromatography is similar to paper chromatography, but instead of paper, a thin layer of powder is coated onto a glass or plastic plate. Different powders and solvents are used, depending on the type of substance being separated.