Chromatographic study of metal ammines

Summary The movement of metal ammines through filter paper strips has been studied. Mixtures of solutions of the metal salts with NH₄Cl and NH₄OH were prepared and spotted on strips. 50% ethanol was used as the solvent. It was noted that excess of NH₄Cl when present, gave better chromatograms. Increase of NH₃ concentration resulted in a change of R_f values. In the case of Cu^II and Ni^II the R_f value decreases, while in the case of Ag^I, Cd^II and Co^II it increases with increasing concentrations of NH₄OH added. With progressive increase in the concentration of NH₄OH the R_f values finally tend to become constant.