Answer to Question #86471 in Chemistry for Savita

Question

What is the principle of ion exchange chromatography?Write any one application of this chromatography.

Answer 1

Ion exchange chromatography allows the separation of molecules based on ionic interactions. The stationary phase has charged functional groups that interact with the analyzed ionized molecules of opposite charge. This type of chromatography is classified into two types - cationic and anionic ion-exchange chromatography:

- Cationic ion exchange chromatography binds positively charged cations as the stationary phase has negatively charged functional groups, for example, phosphate (PO₄³⁻).

- Anionic ion exchange chromatography binds negatively charged anions as the stationary phase has positively charged functional groups, for instance, ⁺N(R)₄.

Ion exchange chromatography is widely used in medicine, biology, biochemistry, environment monitoring, when analyzing the content of drugs and their metabolites in the blood and urine, toxic chemicals in food or other samples, as well as for the separation of inorganic compounds, including radioisotopes, lanthanides, actinoids, etc.