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.