Question

In reverse phase chromatography, the stationary phase is made :

• A. non-polar
• B. polar
• C. either polar or non-polar
• D. none of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A non-polar

In normal phase chromatography, the stationary phase is hydrophilic and therefore has a strong affinity for hydrophilic molecules in the mobile phase. Thus, the hydrophilic molecules in the mobile phase tend to bind (or absorb) to the column, while the hydrophobic molecules pass through the column.

The use of a hydrophobic stationary phase can be considered the opposite, or "reverse", of normal phase chromatography - hence the term "reversed-phase chromatography". Reversed-phase chromatography employs a polar (aqueous) mobile phase. As a result, hydrophobic molecules in the polar mobile phase tend to adsorb to the hydrophobic stationary phase, and hydrophilic molecules in the mobile phase will pass through the column.