Use of Chlorine in the Detection of Compounds on Paper Chromatograms

Rydon and Smith1described a sensitive method for the detection of amino- and imino-compounds on paper chromatograms : the method consisted of exposure of the dried chromatograms to an atmosphere of chlorine, followed by aeration to remove ‘background’ chlorine, and detection of the resultant ehloramines by liberation of iodine from a starch/potassium iodide reagent. In Reindel and Hoppe's modification2of the procedure, the chromatograms were moistened with an acetone/alcohol mixture and exposed to gaseous chlorine in a tank before detection of the chloramino derivatives with a tolidine/ potassium iodide reagent. In a further modification3, the chromatograms were moistened with steam, exposed to gaseous chlorine, heated briefly to 50° and developed with the tolidine/potassium iodide reagent.