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Which of the following methods is the LEAST sensitive chromatographic technique

A. High-pressure liquid chromatograph (HPLC)
B. Liquid chromatography / Mass Spectrometry
C. Thin-layer chromatography
D. Gas chromatography / Mass Spectrometry
E. Gas chromatography

User Qiang Jin
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is the least sensitive chromatographic technique compared to HPLC, LC/MS, GC/MS, and GC due to its simpler qualitative approach and less sophisticated detection capabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The chromatographic technique that is the least sensitive is the thin-layer chromatography (TLC). This is because TLC is a simpler method that involves a stationary phase applied to a flat, inert carrier sheet and a mobile phase that moves up the sheet by capillary action, separating components of a mixture based on differences in affinity to the stationary phase. This method provides qualitative information but is generally less quantitative and less sensitive compared to techniques like high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC/MS), gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and gas chromatography (GC) that can provide more sensitive and quantitative analyses due to their more sophisticated detection methods and instrumentation.

User Zeeshan Rang
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