Question

Could you please explain how ion exchange chromatography works and how the anion exhange chromatography relates? Thanks!

Answer 1

The basic principle which work behind ion exchange chromatography is the interaction between opposite kind of charges. The molecules present in the solution will bind to oppositely charged sites of the stationary phase when it passes through the chromatographic column which have resin as a stationary phase. The isolation and purification of various compounds by ion exchange chromatography is utilizing the advantage of the variation in the electrostatic bond energies of various ions which were present in solution state. Therefore, the ionic charge (z) and the ionic radius (r) are the two main deciding factors in ion exchange chromatography.The separation of the molecules are based on their charge interactions which are eluted using a solution of the varying ionic strength.

Anion exchange chromatography is a also type of ion exchange chromatography. It is used to separate out the molecules based on their net surface charge. In Anion exchange chromatography, a positively charged ion exchange resin with an affinity for the molecules which are having net negative surface charges is used.