Abstract
Bowden, Maclagan and Wilkinson have described1 the use of the cerie sulphate–arsenious acid reaction for the detection of micro-quantities of iodine-containing compounds on paper chromatograms. A difficulty encountered in this laboratory was the fading of the background colour due to the presence of traces of iodine in the atmosphere. This can be prevented by spraying the chromatograms, immediately on completion of the catalytic reaction, with a 1 per cent solution of o-phenylenediamine in acetone and drying in air. The stable chocolate-coloured background formed by reaction of excess ceric sulphate with the amine gives a greatly increased contrast with the white spots, and the life of the chromatogram is limited only by the decomposition of the cellulose by the acid present in the original reagent.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Bowden, C. H., Maclagan, N. F., and Wilkinson, J. H., Biochem. J., 59, 93 (1955).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FLETCHER, K., STANLEY, P. Detection of Iodine-containing Compounds on Paper Chromatograms. Nature 175, 730 (1955). https://doi.org/10.1038/175730a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/175730a0
This article is cited by
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.