In chromatography, adsorption chromatography is primarily based on which property?

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Multiple Choice

In chromatography, adsorption chromatography is primarily based on which property?

Polarity governs adsorption strength to the polar stationary phase used in adsorption chromatography. Because the surface is polar (think silica or alumina), more polar solutes interact strongly through hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions, so they adsorb more tightly and move through the column more slowly. Less polar solutes interact less and thus travel faster. Other properties don’t set the primary basis here: solubility relates to how a compound dissolves in the mobile phase (a different mode of separation), charge is central to ion-exchange chromatography, and molecular size governs separations like size-exclusion.

Polarity governs adsorption strength to the polar stationary phase used in adsorption chromatography. Because the surface is polar (think silica or alumina), more polar solutes interact strongly through hydrogen bonding and dipole interactions, so they adsorb more tightly and move through the column more slowly. Less polar solutes interact less and thus travel faster.

Other properties don’t set the primary basis here: solubility relates to how a compound dissolves in the mobile phase (a different mode of separation), charge is central to ion-exchange chromatography, and molecular size governs separations like size-exclusion.

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