Home > Community > Maximum ethanol concentration for silica gel column chromatography?
Upvote

27

Downvote
+ Chemistry
Posted by
Meseret Simachew Bezabih

Maximum ethanol concentration for silica gel column chromatography?

David Lovering  Follow
I'm unaware if ethanol has the same issues (i kinda doubt it) but you're also not using DCM so probably ok.More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Andrew Silverman  Follow
Silicycle: Silicycle Biotage: BiotageMore
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Debra Stewart  Follow
In my lab the general knowledge is >10% methanol will dissolve the silica but if you’re needing more polar eluent and are dealing with amine separations(?) I find it useful to use 1% triethylamine or 1%NH4OH solution which reduces the acidity of your silica gel and can help with reducing streaking of your bandsMore
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
David Daminic  Follow
Not so much dissolving, but extensive swelling could cause permanent damage to the column (this depends on packing too)More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Barbara Kay  Follow
You’re probably fine up to 100% EtOH as long as you don’t add acid or base.More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Andrew Kiener  Follow
I was warned about methanol, but I never remember hearing about ethanol dissolving silica. I could be wrong though.More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Joseph Hall  Follow
You very well might be right and I just remembered it incorrectly.More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
Courtney Villeda  Follow
Same as the other comment - I was always told not to use too much methanol.More
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote