A new spray reagent for detection and differentiation of sulfur compounds in plant extracts

Abstract

Classically detection, identification, and elucidation of the structure of sulfur compounds has posed a large problem for chemists. Sodium nitroprusside has traditionally been used for detection of sulfur compounds in TLC or paper chromatography. This reagent lacks specificity, however, and cannot be used to distinguish among the different types of functional groups which contain sulfur. Other reagents used for detection of sulfur compounds are Roux reagent [1], monobromotrimethylaminobimane, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone in butanone [2], mercuric chloride, KCN, Hexacyanoferrate–FeCl 3 , fluorescein [3]. For detection of 1,1’-thiobis(2-chloroethane), 4,4’bis(diethylaminobenzophenone) and mercuric chloride have been used [4]. Although so many spray reagents are used for visualization of sulfur compounds, there is no common single spray reagent which can distinguish different types organic compound containing sulfur. Here we have attempted to use bismuth nitrate as spray reagent for different sulfur-containing groups. TLC fingerprints of Allium cepa, A. sativum, and Ferula foetida were used for the study.