Abstract
Seventeen kinds of synthetic surfactants were chromatographed by silica-coated plate and thin-layer chromatograph was proved as a useful method for the analysis of surfactants. Chloroform-methanol-water system was selected for developing. The surfactants gave sharp spots when free components were developed but not for the salts. Anionic surfactants gave peculiar fluorescence by ultraviolet light after spraying of sulfuric acid and heating. α-Sulfo-fatty acid was separated from other sulfonic acids and sulfates. Polyoxyethylene surfactants were separated into major components and polyethylene oxide. Cationic surfactants were detected by Dragendorff reagent and platinum chloride-potassium iodide reagent. These procedures are useful to detect impurities in synthetic surfactants and to check progress of the reaction in the manufacturing process.
