Organic Chemistry MCAT Practice Exam

What is the main purpose of chromatography?

1. To analyze compounds through spectroscopy

2. To separate compounds from mixtures

3. To measure optical rotation of compounds

4. To produce chiral molecules

The correct answer is: To separate compounds from mixtures

The main purpose of chromatography is to separate compounds from mixtures. This technique exploits differences in the physical or chemical properties of components in a mixture, allowing for their distribution between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. In the process of chromatography, components of a mixture are carried through a medium (like a column or a plate) and interact differently with the stationary phase. By taking advantage of variations in factors such as polarity, size, or charge, chromatography effectively separates the individual substances. This separation is vital in many fields, including organic chemistry, for purifying compounds, analyzing their composition, and preparing them for further study or application. While other techniques mentioned in the choices can be important in the study and analysis of compounds, they do not indicate the primary role of chromatography, which is predominantly about achieving separation rather than analysis or measurement of specific properties.