FURTHER STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF HUMIDITY ON SEPARATION OF POLYNUCLEAR HYDROCARBONS BY THIN LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

Humidity effect on Rf values and sizes of spots of polynuclear hydrocarbons separated by thin layer chromatography was studied with the following adsorbents and developing solvents ; aluminium oxide G with n-pentane : ether (19:1, V/V), silica gel WOELM with n-hexane : o-dichlorobenzene : pyridine (10:1:0.5, V/V). The humidity range studied was 3-76% in relative humidity.
In thin layer chromatography of aluminium oxide G, the Rf values and sizes of the spots were remarkably affected by humidity and successful separation was obtained at relative humidity of abut 20%.
In thin layer chromatography of silica gel WOELM, the Rf values and sizes of the spots were slightly affected by humidity. Separation of the hydrocarbons was satisfactory in the humidity range tested excepting very low humidity.