What is an alumina column used for in organic synthesis?

An alumina column is specifically used for chromatography, particularly in the separation and purification of compounds in organic synthesis. Chromatography involves the movement of a mixture through a stationary phase, which, in the case of an alumina column, is aluminum oxide (alumina). The differing affinities of the various components in the mixture for the stationary phase allow for their separation as they move through the column at different rates. This technique is essential for isolating individual compounds from a mixture, making it a critical tool in organic synthesis for purifying products or separating reactants.

Other options, such as performing distillation, facilitating extraction, or measuring pH levels, do not involve the specific functions and properties of an alumina column. Distillation is a technique used for separating liquids based on boiling points, extraction is a method for separating compounds based on solubility, and pH measurement is not related to the separation or purification aspects that an alumina column specializes in. Thus, the primary role of an alumina column in organic synthesis is to serve as a medium for chromatography, making it ideal for separating compounds.