Page 126 - phytochemistry general program

Reagent Compounds detected Color

1. Dragendorff Alkaloids Orange

2. Antimony chlorideSteroids, alicyclic Various colors

.vitamins, carotenoids

Ferric chloride 3. Phenolics Various colors

4. Aniline phthalate Reducing sugars Various colors

5. Ninhydrin 0.3% in n- Amines, amino acidsPink to purple
3% BuOH containing spots on white
background
acetic acid

6. p-Anisaldehyde/ Steroid, terpenoids Various colors
H2SO4
Carboxylic acidsYellow spots on
7. Acid-base blue green or
indicators back-ground

Vanillin/H2SO4 8. Steroids, terpenoids Various colors

Non-destructive methods Where the substances on the chromatogram are not .3
altered. These methods permit the recovery of materials particularly in some

quantitative as well as preparative TLC.

Non-destructive methods can be summarized as follows:

Colored compounds are detected in the day light (naked eye). .1

Fluorescent compounds are detected by ultraviolet light (365 nm). .2

Layers containing fluorescent materials, where under UV light, most aromatic .3
and heterocyclic compounds appear as dark spots on a fluorescent background

(quenching technique).

Water spray, where hydrocarbons appear as white opaque spots on a .4
translucent background.

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