Abstract
THE identification of phenols in materials containing large amounts of iron and other transition-metal cations is often determined by paper chromatography. Classification of the phenolic compounds is made by reference to RF values, characteristic colour reactions with spray reagents, and spectra of the eluted areas of the chromatogram. In the course of an investigation of the extractives of the Orgueil meteorite1, we found that iron, nickel and cobalt salts possess chromatographic properties which are remarkably similar to those of phenols. Because of the widespread interest in the organic constituents of carbonaceous meteorites, we wish to point out these similarities and suggest analytical techniques for differentiating the two classes of substances.
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In co-operation with Prof. J. Oró, Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, Texas.
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STEELINK, C., SEIKEL, M. & DOWNES, F. Differentiating Phenols from Certain Inorganic Ions by Paper Chromatography. Nature 206, 614 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/206614a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/206614a0
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