Thin-Layer chromatography of organic sulphur compounds by the mixed fluorescent material method: I. Detection of various classes of compounds

Abstract

Organic sulphur compounds were detected on silica gel layers containing a mixed fluorescent material. Disulphides, thioureas, isothioureas, thioamides, thiolactones, thioesters, thiurams, dithiocarbamates, xanthates. S-sulphonic acids, thiocyanates isothiocyanates and organothioophosphorus compounds were detected as coloured spots in amounts of 10 −8-10 −11 mole according to their ultraviolet absorption spectra and molar absorption coefficients. Thiols, sulphides, sulphonic acids, sulphinic acids, sulphates, sulphamates, sulphones and sulphoxides did not give any coloured spots in amounts of 10 −7 mole. When the sulphur was replaced with oxygen, the positive compounds above were no longer detected even in amounts of 10 −7 mole.