Abstract
A method for the chromatographic separation of organic or inorganic mercuric compounds was studied on anion-exchange paper, Amberlite SB-2 (R-Cl). The sample solution was spotted on a strip (0.5 × 20 cm) of the paper at a point of 2 cm from the end. After drying in the air, it was developed ascendingly in a jar using 1.6 N nitric acid as the mobile solvent for 1 hour. After drying and spraying with dithizonechloroform solution, the Rf was estimated. Rf values were: for alkyl mercuric compounds 0.190.33, inorganic mercuric compounds 0.090.11, and phenyl mercuric compounds 0.010.03. The limit of identification of mercury by this method was about 0.2 μg. Other metals interfered scarcely.
An investigation was further performed on the determination of inorganic mercuric compounds by measuring the area of the colored zone on strips of Amberlite SB-2 (R-Cl), and the amount, 14 mg, of mercury was found to be proportional to the colored area at pH 5.0.
