DIY Leaf Chromatography
Uncover the secret, hidden pigments inside autumn foliage with this amazing leaf chromatography experiment!
Materials Needed
- Leaves of various colors (green, yellow, brown/red)
- Small glass jars
- Acetone (nail polish remover) ⚠️ See safety note below
- Grinding tool
- Paper towel strips
- Paintbrush
*Safety note
Acetone can irritate skin with prolonged contact or cause dizziness if inhaled in close quarters for too long. Less concentrated types of acetone and rubbing alcohol can be used in this experiment, but may yield varying effects. Either way, be sure to wash hands after experimenting and keep acetone away from eyes, noses and mouths.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather different colored leaves and tear them into small pieces, separating each color into its own jar.
Step 2: Pour a small amount of acetone into each jar to cover the leaves.
Step 3: Grind and crush the leaves in the acetone to release their natural pigments into the liquid.
Step 4: Paint a horizontal line of extracted pigment about 1 inch from the bottom of a paper towel strip using a paintbrush.
Step 5: Pour a tiny layer of fresh acetone into three clean, empty glass jars.
Step 6: Stand a paper towel strip vertically inside each jar so the very bottom touches the acetone liquid without submerging the painted pigment line.
Step 7: Watch as the acetone climbs up the paper towel strips, separating the extract into vibrant bands of hidden colors!
Learn More
Leaves contain several different colorful pigments that help plants convert sunlight into energy! During spring and summer, green chlorophyll is so dominant that it hides other colors like yellow xanthophyll and orange carotene. In this experiment, acetone acts as a liquid solvent that dissolves those pigments out of the leaves. As the paper towel soaks up the liquid through capillary action, it carries the dissolved pigments upward. Because each pigment has a different molecular weight and solubility level, lighter and more soluble pigments travel farther up the paper towel, separating into distinct bands that reveal the hidden colors inside!Loved watching colors in motion? Explore more colorful science and chemical separation with the Oil + Water Chemistry kit from the KiwiCo Store!