Equilibrium distribution:

In liquid-liquid chromatography and equilibrium distribution of the solutes between the mobile phase and the stationary phase takes place rapidly, and the separation of the components of a mixture results from the resulting distributions of the various solute molecules in the two immiscible phases. Distribution equilibria are elaborates through the distribution coefficient, frequent called partition coefficient K. For practical chromatography, it is necessary to be able to predict a particular solvent-solute relationship in order to obtain the required separation of a mixture. The distribution of a solute between two phases is also defined in terms of capacity or retention factor, k´. The different terms and concept of theoretical plates and the rate theory. Whole these are applicable for both of these forms of column chromatography.