The qualitative analysis of dilute aqueous solutions of thiols and thioethers by thin-layer chromatography

Abstract

The preparation of solid derivatives from thiols and thioethers was investigated in order to discover a method of concentrating extremely dilute solutions of these compounds and to analyse them by thin-layer chromatography

It was found that thiols could be separated from thioethers by reaction with phenylmercury acetate and a method was developed for the analysis of mixtures of thiols by the thin-layer chromatography of the phenylmercury mercaptides formed by this reaction.

A method used by earlier workers for the preparation of dialkylsulphinimines from thioethers and chloramine-T was improved to make it suitable for use with microgram amounts of thioethers, and the derivatives were separated successfully by thin-layer chromatography.