Solvent selection in liquid-solid chromatography of steroids

Summary Based on the previously observed proportionality between the retention constant of some mono-and polyfunctional steroids and the retention constant of the steroid hydroxyl group in pure solvent, a relatively simple procedure is described for the calculation of equi-eluotropic binary solvent systems in liquid-solid chromatography of steroids. This method is compared with the proposals of Snyder and Hara.     

Influence of solvent strength in possible optimization of adsorption thin-layer chromatography

Considerations of TLC process optimization have been based on the thermodynamic theory of adsorption from multicomponent solvents using experimental and theoretical R_{M1, 2} = f (Φ₁) relationships. It was found that a relationship exists between the A_z parameter (log k where k is the partition coefficient of the substance chromatographed) of the above theory and pK_a values of substances as well as the solubility parameter δ of the mobile phase components. Analysis of the A_z values of substances shows that a slight variation therein is associated with lower selectivity of chromatographic separation.     

Some effective solvent systems for the rapid resolution of DNP-amino acids by thin-layer chromatography

Summary The DNP-amino acids have been divided into two groups depending upon their chromatographic behaviour on silicagel thin layers in different solvent systems. Five solvent systems were developed for each of the two groups. The systems reported provide rapid resolution and can separate mixtures of six to eight DNP-amino acids. The systems provide separations of DNP-ala/pro, leu/phe and leu/ile which are difficult to separate by one-dimensional TLC.     

Correlation in continuous development thin-layer chromatography

Summary Various relationships in continuous development TLC using a binary solvent system are discussed. These include the dependanc of analysis time and required plate length on the shape of a ZR_fvs. solvent composition curve and the dependendancy of analysis time on the spot separation required.Dedicated to Professor A. Zlatkis on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Ion-exchange thin-layer chromatography of metal lons in organic solvent — Hydrochloric acid — Complexing agent media

Summary Thin-layers of strongly basic or strongly acidic ionexchange resins (Dowex 1 or Dowex 50), mixed with a plain cellulose, Avicel SF, have been used to investigate the chromatographic behaviour of 40 metal ions in acetic acid — hydrochloric acid — complexing agent media. The CIESE (combined ion-exchange-solvent extraction) effect, proposed by Korkisch, is noticed for scandium and thorium in the anion-exchange system involving trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as the complexing agent, the system providing a basis on the specific separation of both elements. In the cation-exchange system involving TOPO, the metal ions are distributed chromatographically, so that the system allows multicomponent separations to be carried out. The system also reveals the CIESE effect for zirconium and hafnium.     

Vapor-controlled thin-layer chromatography on reversed-phase layers

The chromatographic behavior of some hydrocarbons and some of their nitro derivates after preconditioning with solvent vapors has been investigated. After preloading with cyclohexane or hexane an improved separation of some sample pairs is observed. Furthermore, inversion of R_f values takes place. The preloading of the reversed-phase plates permits utilization of mobile phase with higher water content, thus leading to a significant shortening of developing time.     

Improved detection of steroids on NH2 layers

Summary Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using NH₂-modified TLC plates is a reproducible method for the measurement of steroids. The sensitivity of determination of steroids (cortisol, cortisone, testosterone, progesterone) by measuring fluoresence in situ can be increased twofold if chromatograms are dipped into a mixture of hexane-paraffin. Fluorescence is further increased if filters are used, which cut emission wavelengths below 400 nm. Using the modifications described, steroid concentrations of about 5 ng per spot could be accurately determined. The increased sensitivity allows measurement of the plasma levels of cortisol in small laboratory animals such as guinea pigs.     

Reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography of the rare earth elements

Summary Partition chromatographic behaviour of the rare earth elements on C₁₈ bonded silica reversed-phase material has been investigated by thin-layer chromatography in methanol — lactate media. The rare earth lactato complexes are distributed and fractionated on bonded silica layers without ion-interaction reagents. The concentration and pH of lactate solution, methanol concentration and temperature have effects on the migration and resolution of the rare earth elements. The partition system is particularly suited to separate adjacent rare earths of middle atomic weight groups, allowing the separation of gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium and thulium to be achieved by development to 18 cm distance.     

Improved detection of steroids on NH2 layers

Summary Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) using NH₂-modified TLC plates is a reproducible method for the measurement of steroids. The sensitivity of determination of steroids (cortisol, cortisone, testosterone, progesterone) by measuring fluorescence in situ can be increased twofold if chromatograms are dipped into a mixture of hexane-paraffin. Fluorescence is further increased if filters are used, which cut emission wavelengths below 400 nm. Using the modifications described, steroid concentrations of about 5 ng per spot could be accurately determined. The increased sensitivity allows measurement of the plasma levels of cortisol in small laboratory animals such as guinea pigs.     

Influence of development distance on resolution in thin-layer chromatography

Theoretical equations are given to relate resolution with development distance. Comparative experiments undertaken with quaternary ammonium compounds as test substances and using a selection of basic drugs are presented. As expected, resolution decreases with shorter development distance. However, this effect is less pronounced for compounds with small R_f values and when the spot size at the starting point is kept small. It was also shown that, for correctly assessing resolution in relation to development distance, the amounts of material spotted have to be decreased for shorter development distances.     

Theoretical calculation of the optimum separation in thin-layer chromatography

Summary Up to now the optimum composition of a binary mobile phase for separation in thin-layer chromatography has been determined mainly by the method of successive trials. In this paper a simple way is presented to determine the mobile phase composition and the maximum difference in the R_M values of two substances. The equation introduced has been illustrated with examples of adsorption thin-layer chromatography on magnesium silicate. Calculation of the largest difference in the R_M values of two substances in relation to the composition of the binary mobile phase has been compared with the corresponding values determined experimentally. A good agreement of the obtained theoretical data and experimental values has been found.     

Quantitative procedures for assessing performance in thin-layer gel chromatography

Summary Procedures are described for assessing quantitiatively performance in thin-layer gel chromatography (TLG), and they are used to demonstrate improvements in methodology. Such procedures permit standards to be set, comparisons to be made between performances in different laboratories and greater precision to be achieved in quantitative TLG.     

Ready detection of small amounts of lactulose in dairy products by thin-layer chromatography

Summary Ready detection of lactulose in milk and in mixtures with other sugars is achieved by diluting the sample ten times with acetone and successive thin-layer chromatographic separation on silica gel-boric acid, developed with acetonitrile: water 5020. The method allows detection of up to 0.02% lactulose on total carbohydrates and permits a semi-quantitative estimation of lactulose in milk.     

Phenol adsorption on active carbon by means of thin-layer chromatography

Summary The effect of the acidity of the media on the adsorption of phenol and creasols was investigated using TLC and using the R_F-values as a measure of the adsorption ability of active carbon. Three types of chromatographic layers were employed: silica gel, silica gel containing 3% of active carbon and silica gel containing 6% of active carbon. Standard solutions of phenol, m-cresol and o-cresol were used as the samples. The acetic acid content of the solvent mixture significantly influences the adsorption of phenol and cresols on the active carbon layer. An increase in the acetic acid content results in a decrease of the adsorption of phenols. However, under specific conditions [81∶5∶7 hexane-diethyl ether-acetic acid, and 48∶2∶8 benzene-acetone-acetic acid developers] the competitive adsorption of phenols and acetic acid may take place, which has been observed by a steep increase in the adsorption of phenol and cresols.     

Study of dispersive and inductive electrostatic interactions in reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography

Summary The retention behaviour of a group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons having nearly equal ionization potentials but different molecular polarizability values was investigated using reversed-phase HPTLC. Normal alcohols were applied as the mobile phase. The relationships between the retention parameters and molecular polarizabilities of the solutes and solvents are discussed.     

Computer-aided optimization of stepwise gradient profiles in thin-layer chromatography

Summary Two mixtures, one containing model coloured solutes and the other glycosides from the Digitalis species were separated by stepwise gradient thin-layer chromatography, the first in the system silica-toluene + ethyl acetate, the second in the system silica-ethyl acetate + methanol. The optimal gradient programs (i.e., for which maximal spread of spots along the plate is observed) were determined using a computer program reported in an earlier paper. Good separation and satisfactory agreement of predicted and experimental R_F values were obtained; the non-aqueous system for the separation of lanatosides permits considerable shortening of elution time owing to the lower viscosity of ethyl acetate-methanol mixtures.Dedicated to Professor Leslie S. Ettre on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Chemically-bonded stationary phases for thin-layer chromatography of metal ions

Summary A numer of bonded stationary phases were investigated for the separation of Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ by thin-layer chromatography. The effect of structure, surface loading, type of silica gel and mobile phase concentration was considered.     

Resolution of dianthrone glycosides and anthraquinone glycosides by thin-layer chromatography

Summary Existing TLC systems for the separation of dianthrone glycosides (sennosides) and anthraquinone glycosides were found unsatisfactory. Separation of these two groups of glycosides was achieved using a conventional TLC development tank and also in a modern VARIO-KS-Chamber at a relative humidity of 32%. The separation in a VARIO-KS-Chamber was superior.     

Influence of solvent effects on retention for a porous polymer sorbent in reversed phase liquid chromatography

Summary The influence of acetonitrile, methanol and isopropanol as retention selectivily modifiers in reversed phase liquid chromatography on a poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) macroporous polymer sorbent (PLRP-S) is evaluated using the solvation parameter model. Retention results from a combination of adsorption and partitioning and is influenced by the equilibrium absorption of organic solvent by the polymer from the mobile phase. The sorption of solutes is dominated by the ease of cavity formation in or on the solvated sorbent, with a small contribution from lone pair-lone pair electron interactions. All polar interactions, such as dipole-type and hydrogenbond formation, are more favorable in the mobile phase and reduce retention. Changes in the uptake of organic solvent from the mobile phase affect kinetic properties of the column such as band broadening and porosity as well as retention. The PLRP-S solvated sorbent is suitable for solid-phase extraction and is more retentive than typical silica-based, bonded phase sorbents for extraction from water. As a surrogate system for estimating solute lipophilicity and biological activity through retention-property correlations it provides a poor fit for hydrogen-bond acid solutes and is too dipolar/polarizable to fit some models.     

Rapid method for drawing overlapping resolution maps for thin-layer chromatography

Summary The plotting of an overlapping resolution map is a very long process. Derivation of an original resolution formula provides an equation that gives directly the solvent-front migration-distance required for the separation of various compounds. This equation is used to speed up 30-fold the drawing of overlapping maps.