Question

Can mixtures be separated by chromatography?

Answer 1

It is possible to separate different solutes which are dissolved in a solvent.

For example, column chromatography can be used to separate different water soluble proteins. The column can be packed with different materials to allow for separation based on different properties of the proteins (affinities, molecular weight, etc.)

Here is a video of a lab my students conducted to separate the different pigments present in the ink of a water soluble marker.

Video from: Noel Pauller