Thin-layer chromatographic separation of dicrotophos,ethion (or phorate), fensulfothion,oxydemeton-methyl,phosmet, phospholan,and trichlorfon from each other

A thin-layer chromatography method is reported for the separation of dicrotophos, ethion (or phorate), fensulfothion, oxydemeton-methyl, phosmet, phospholan, and trichlorfon. The procedure involves the use of commercially prepared silica gel 1B Baker-flex plates and developing with 2,2,4-trimethylpentane:methyl cyclohexane:n-hexyl alcohol:acetone (18:9:9:9). The pesticides are located by spraying with ammoniacal silver nitrate solution in acetone follwed by exposure to longwave UV light. The method does not separate ethion and phorate from each other. A method is also reported for the thin-layer chromatographic separation of ethion from phorate in the presence of the other six pesticides using solvent system 2,2,4-trimethylpentane:n-hexane:chloroform (18:18:12) on silica gel 1B Baker-flex plates.