... complex mixture of components is obtained. The components that are obtained include anthocyanin, chlorophyll a and b, carotenes, and xanthophylls. If you try to extract these components from the green leaves by using water, the extraction is rather ineffective. This is because water is a polar compound and these components are nonpolar compounds. Therefore, water can't effective dissolve them out of the leaves (remember: like dissolves like). A less polar solvent will be used for the extraction: acetone. Likewise, if you attempt to run a paper chromatography of these components by using water as the eluent (the liquid that will carry the components up the paper) you will find that the water will do an adequate job of separating the components from each other. Instead, lighter fluid, which is nonpolar, more volatile, and faster moving, will separate them. The experiment is carried out inside a closed container to eliminate evaporation of the ...

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