Analytical investigation of some fluorogenic reactions of indol-3-yl acids with o-phthalaldehyde. Part II. Thin-layer chromatographic studies

Abstract

The fluorogenic reagent o-phthalaldehyde was examined in the presence of sulphuric acid as a possible spray reagent for the visual determination of some indol-3-yl acids, including indol-3-ylacetic acid (IAA), after thin-layer chromatography. Concomitantly, the effects of 2-mercaptoethanol or cysteine, UV irradiation and gaseous electrical discharge were also examined jointly with the o-phthalaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent. Comparisons between the systems studied were carried out and it was concluded that the best system for the detection of the compounds examined was the o-phthalaldehyde-sulphuric acid system, principally if associated with an UV pre-irradiation treatment.