Why is alcohol used in paper chromatography?

Question

Why is alcohol used in paper chromatography?

Answer 1

The choice of solvent is important in the paper chromatography system since it is the central determinant as to how the components of the sample will separate.  Compounds that are highly soluble in the solvent (in this case alcohol) will spend more time it the mobile liquid phase as it moves as a front up the paper.  Less soluble compounds will tend to stick to the paper and so will migrate a shorter distance.  Alcohol is but one solvent that could be used (there are many different forms of alcohol as well).  Other solvent are water, hexane, ether, etc. Solvents for chromatography are also combinations of these as well.