Thin-layer chromatography of chlorinated anisoles and veratroles

Summary The thin-layer chromatography of chlorinated anisoles (methoxybenzenes) and veratroles (1,2-dimethoxybenzenes) has been examined on silica gel G60 and RP-18 thin-layer plates. More than fifty solvent systems were screened and some of them recommended for particular separations. Acetone was shown to be suitable for group separation of both chlorinated anisoles and veratroles on a silica gel G60 stationary phase having a very narrow range of R_F values. On the other hand, benzene, dichloromethane and the various mixtures of light petroleum (b.p. 40–60°C) and a more polar eluent (such as diethyl ether, acetone or ethyl acetate) were recommended for separation of certain individual isomers. The best separation of chloroanisoles was achieved using RP-18 plates and methanol-water (9010) as the solvent system.