Eluant is a chemical term used to describe a solution or solvent that is used to extract or separate different constituents in a mixture. The word eluant is spelled as /iːluənt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first sound /iː/ represents a long "e" sound, followed by a schwa sound /ə/. The last sound /nt/ is pronounced as a nasalized "t" sound, which completely closes off the air passage. This word is commonly used in chromatography and other separation techniques in the laboratory.
An eluant, also known as an eluent, is a substance or solvent used in a process called chromatography to separate, extract, and analyze the components of a mixture. It is specifically employed in a technique known as liquid chromatography, where a sample is dissolved in a liquid and passed through a stationary phase. The eluant, usually a liquid, acts as a mobile phase that carries the sample through the stationary phase, allowing the individual components to separate based on their different interactions with the stationary phase.
The main purpose of an eluant is to exert an appropriate level of force on the sample to move it through the chromatographic system while also facilitating the separation and elution of analytes. It accomplishes this by interacting with the stationary phase in a way that is distinct from the sample components, enabling their differentiation. The eluant possesses the ability to compete with the analytes for adsorption sites on the stationary phase, thus facilitating their release and subsequent elution.
Commonly utilized eluants include aqueous solutions, organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, depending on the components being analyzed and the desired separation. The selection of an appropriate eluant is crucial, as it influences the separation efficiency, resolution, and retention time of analytes. It must be compatible with the stationary phase, prevent unwanted interactions, and ensure suitable solubility for the sample components.
Overall, an eluant is a crucial component in liquid chromatography, as it aids in the separation and analysis of mixtures, allowing for the identification and quantitation of individual components based on their distinct interactions within the chromatographic system.
The word "eluant" comes from the Latin word "eluere", which means "to wash out" or "to rinse". It is derived from the prefix "e-" meaning "out" and the verb "luere" meaning "to wash". In analytical chemistry, an eluant refers to a solvent or a liquid that washes out or carries dissolved substances during a separation process, such as chromatography.