Electrophoresis of halides and phosphate on DEAE-cellulose application to elemental analysis of organic compounds by sodium fusion

Abstract

Electrophoresis on strips of the weakly basic anion exchanger, diethylaminoethyl-cellulose, is used to separate the halides and phosphate in any of four electrolytes spanning a wide range of pH but most effectively in an electrolyte at pH 2 containing a mixture of formic and acetic acids. The anions on pherograms treated with silver nitrate and exposed to ultraviolet light react in different ways depending on the nature of the electrolyte remaining on dried strips and on the concentration of silver ions in the reagent applied. The method is adapted to the detection and identification of halogens and phosphorus present in organic compounds following sodium fusion on a micro-scale. The separation also facilitates quantitative estimation of the individual anions present in mixtures, and an example is given of the estimation of residual inorganic bromide present in a chicken feed following fumigation with methyl bromide.