Mobile phase optimization in thin layer chromatography (TLC)

Abstract

This review presents the strategies for mobile phase optimization that either have been developed for or have been applied to planar chromatography. In thin layer chromatography some form of optimization is generally necessary if complete separation of all components in a sample is required and if the number of these is larger than a small fraction of the spot capacity of the system. The selection of the solvent system is one of the most important components of an optimization strategy and indeed is often the only component seriously considered.