After the development chamber has been prepared and the
samples have been spotted, the plates are ready for development.
Be careful to handle the plates only by their edges, and try to
leave the development chamber uncovered for as little time as possible.
Place the TLC plate into the development chamber with the spots toward the bottom. Immerse the bottom of the plate in the liquid, but be sure that the liquid does not touch the spotted samples. Replace the lid tightly, and allow the solvent front to rise. When the solvent front approaches the top of the plate, remove the plate from the chamber. Quickly trace the solvent front with a pencil.
