Improved separation of phenols as a result of vapour-induced modification of the adsorbent in thin-layer and column chromatography

Abstract

Experiments have shown the nature and valuable effect of vapour-induced modification of the activity of the adsorbent in thin-layer chromatography, especially in the case of binary eluents of the nonpolar-polar type, such as carbon tetrachloride/methanol, benzene/ethyl acetate and n-hexane/acetone. These results may contribute to the discussions on the choice of dimensions for elution chambers and their vapour saturation. A distinct relation has also been established between the behaviour of TLC with binary eluents on the one hand and “dry-column” chromatography or normal-column chromatography on the other. Mixtures of phenols containing closely resembling chemical structures have been separated on a preparative scale. Also with two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography the method proved to be very useful.