Chromatography is a versatile separation technique used to separate components of a mixture based on differences in how those components interact with a stationary phase and a mobile phase. It is employed across science and industry for both qualitative identification and quantitative analysis, as well as for purification. Here are the main uses:

• Analytical separation and identification
  • Determine which substances are present in a complex mixture and measure their amounts.
  • Examples include analyzing drugs in biological samples, identifying pigments in inks, or profiling metabolites in a biological extract.
• Purification and isolation
  • Separate and collect individual components from a mixture for further study or use.
  • Common in chemical synthesis and natural product isolation where a product must be purified away from impurities or byproducts.
• Quality control and process monitoring
  • Assess the composition of mixtures in manufacturing (e.g., solvents, hydrocarbons, food additives) to ensure consistency and safety.
  • Track impurity levels or degradation products over time.
• Separation of complex mixtures in industry
  • In petroleum, environmental science, and pharmaceuticals, chromatography helps deconvolute complex mixtures into individual, analyzable components.
• Research and method development
  • Develop new methods to separate and analyze novel compounds, optimize existing separations, or study reaction kinetics and mechanisms.

Common forms of chromatography include gas chromatography (GC) for volatile compounds, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for a wide range of liquids, and thin-layer or paper chromatography for simple qualitative work. Each form uses a stationary phase and a mobile phase, with the choice of phases and detection methods tailored to the specific substances and the desired information.