Thin-layer chromatography of inorganic ions on polyethyleneimine cellulose in sulfuric acid and acid-ammonium sulfate media

Summary The thin-layer chromatographic behavior of 49 inorganic ions on polyethyleneimine (PEI) cellulose, a weakly basic anion-exchanger, has been systematically studied in sulfuric acid and ammonium sulfate media (both 0.01–1.0 moldm⁻³). The sorption on the cellulose decreases with increasing concentration of the acid or sulfate for most of the ions and to a lesser extent for Hg(II), Bi(III), Th(IV), Nb(V), and U(VI). The R_f values of Pd(II), Ru(III), Au(III), Pt(IV), and Ta(V) are extremely low in both systems. Ba(II), Pb(II), Sb(III), Mo(VI), and W(VI) are also strongly retained on the layer. Oxy-anions such as As(III) and Se(VI) are not adsorbed on the cellulose to any great extent, but Re(VII) distributes on the plate with a R_f value of about 0.5. The characteristic retention on PEI-cellulose layer of several polyvalent ions, which form anionic sulfato complexes, can be observed in ammonium sulfate media. Possibilities for separations of analytical interest are also demonstrated in both systems.