The reason why ethyl acetate is a good solvent for thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is also a way to analyze the composition of mixtures. It is widely used in the fields of chemical industry and medicine. And ethyl acetate is a good solvent for this technique, with various reasons.

First, ethyl acetate has a moderate polarity. In thin-layer chromatography, the polarity of the solvent is related to the migration of the solute. High polarity is the speed of solute migration, low is slow. Ethyl acetate has a moderate polarity. For common organic compounds, it can make it migrate moderately on the thin-layer plate, so that the components can be effectively separated. Such as separation of many kinds of alkaloids, ethyl acetate and other solvents mixed into a mixed solution, can make each alkaloid according to the polarity difference, on the plate showed a clear spot, easy to identify and analyze.

second, ethyl acetate volatility is good. After thin-layer chromatography, the solvent needs to be removed to observe the results. The boiling point of ethyl acetate is low, about 77 ° C, volatile. After the experiment, put the thin-layer plate in a ventilated place, or slightly heated, ethyl acetate evaporates quickly, without residual fear, and does not disturb the observation and identification of components.

Furthermore, ethyl acetate has excellent solubility. In the analysis of organic synthesis products, complex mixtures are often encountered. Ethyl acetate has good solubility to a variety of organic substances, such as esters, alcohols, aldose, etc. It can fully dissolve the sample and spread it evenly on the thin layer plate to ensure the accuracy of separation.

In addition, ethyl acetate has stable chemical properties. In the process of thin layer chromatography, it does not chemically react with sample components and adsorbents. If silica gel is a commonly used adsorbent, ethyl acetate coexists with it without biochemical changes, which can maintain the stability of the separation system and make the results reliable.

And its toxicity is low, and it poses little health hazard to the experimenter. In the laboratory environment, it can reduce safety risks. During operation, a little ventilation protection can avoid its harm.

In summary, ethyl acetate is a good solvent for thin-layer chromatography due to its polarity, volatility, excellent solubility, stability and low toxicity. It has made great contributions to component analysis and compound identification.