Step 1: Understanding reverse phase chromatography
- Reverse phase chromatography is a liquid chromatography technique where the stationary phase is non-polar and the mobile phase is polar.
- It is commonly used for separating non-polar compounds in complex mixtures.
Step 2: Explanation of stationary phase
- In reverse phase chromatography, the stationary phase is hydrophobic (non-polar), typically made of silica bonded with hydrocarbons like C8 or C18 chains.
- The mobile phase is polar, typically a mixture of water, methanol, or acetonitrile.
Step 3: Evaluating the options
- (A) Non-polar → Correct, as reverse phase chromatography uses a non-polar stationary phase.
- (B) Polar → Incorrect, as polar stationary phases are used in normal-phase chromatography.
- (C) Both (a) and (b) → Incorrect, as the stationary phase is strictly non-polar.
- (D) None of these → Incorrect, as option (A) is correct.
Step 4: Selecting the correct answer
Since reverse phase chromatography uses a non-polar stationary phase, the correct answer is (A) Non-polar.