A thin-layer chromatographic method for the rapid separation of porphyrin dimethyl esters

Abstract

The addition of iron salts to thin-layer plates of Silica Gel G was found to facilitate the separation of porphyrin dimethyl esters so greatly that rapid separation in one dimension and in one solvent system could be carried out. A somewhat similar result, although not so marked, was also observed with iron-impregnated paper. It was shown that pH adjustment of the medium by addition of mineral acid alone, to the value resulting from iron-salt hydrolysis in the medium, will not duplicate the effect. Addition of Cu, Mn or Mg to Silica Gel G was ineffective.