A simple experience with complex foundations: the separation of photosynthetic pigments using paper chromatography

Abstract

: The separation of photosynthetic pigments by paper chromatography in general and those of the spinach in particular, frequently is explained on the basis of its differences of solubility. This incorrect explanation, next to the perception of a methodology considered like an authentic and pure partition between two inmiscible liquid phases, shows the necessity to analyze and clarify the conceptual framed complex that sublies after the apparent simplicity of this classic laboratory practice. The theoretical and experimental foundations that allow to explain part of this complexity are presented, in this article, with purpose of causing more coherent explanatory models with the involved phenomena.