Time optimization in thin-layer chromatography

Separation of steroid mixtures by time‐optimized thin layer chromatography

“…A detailed description of the optimization method as applied to a single pair of compounds has been published [2].The method can be extended to a mixture of compounds as follows. The value of ARfbetweenallpairsofcompounds inamixturecan beaccurately predicted as afunction ofthe mole fraction of the strong solvent in many binary systemsconsistingofa weakand astrongsolvent [3].…”

“…A modified Camag linear developing chamber was used for all separations. This has been described previously [2].…”

“…Separations by conventional thin layer chromatography (TLC) are generally limited by the relatively short plate lengths that can be used. Perry [ l ] has shown that this problem can be overcome by the technique of continuous development on a short TLC plate with a suitable binary solvent.The combination of plate length and solvent composition is of paramount importance [2]. Incorrect choice of these parameters can lead to very long analysis time.…”

“…Incorrect choice of these parameters can lead to very long analysis time. A method has recently been published for optimizing these parameters for a single pair of compounds [2]. The application of this method to samples containing up to five components is discussed below.…”

Basic TLC Techniques, Materials, and Apparatus

“…It has been shown that minimum analysis time is always shorter for continuous development than for conventional development when conditions are analyzed (157). Optimum conditions for the continuous TLC separation of steroids in terms of analysis time, plate length, and mole fraction of a binary mobile phase were determined using the overlapping resolution maps technique (158).…”