Paper electrophoresis and paper chromatography of phenolic compounds

An aqueous solution of sodium molybdate has been used as a specific reagent for the detection of phenolic compounds with o-dihydroxy groupings. The paper electrophoretic behaviour of phenolic compounds has been studied using a series of different buffers with pH values ranging from 5.2 to 10.0. o-Dihydroxy compounds can readily be detected by the use of ammonium molybdate buffer, and other structural features can be revealed by the choice of suitable electrolyte solutions. Paper partition chromatography of phenolic compounds using molybdate-treated paper in described.