Thin-Layer Chromatography -- Contents -- Chapter 1 Introduction and History -- 1 Introduction to Thin-layer Chromatography -- 2 History of TLC -- 3 References -- Chapter 2 Sorbents and TLC Layers -- 1 Sorbent Selection -- 1.1 Introduction -- 1.2 Silica Based Sorbents -- 1.2.1 Silica Gel -- 1.2.2 Silica Gel Bonded Phases -- 1.3 Non-silica Sorbents -- 1.3.1 Cellulose -- 1.3.2 Cellulose Bonded Phases -- 1.3.3 Aluminium Oxide -- 1.3.4 Kieselguhr -- 1.3.5 Polyamide -- 1.3.6 Miscellaneous Stationary Phases -- 1.3.7 Mixed Stationary Phases -- 1.3.8 Dual Phases -- 2 Preparation of TLC Sheets and Plates -- 2.1 "Home made" TLC Plates -- 2.2 Pre-coated TLC/HPTLC Sheets and Plates -- 3 Cutting TLC/HPTLC Sheets and Plates -- 4 Humidity Effects with TLC Plates -- 5 Pre-washing TLC Plates -- 6 Use of Phosphorescent/Fluorescent Indicators -- 7 Channelled TLC Layers -- 8 Concentration Zone TLC/HPTLC Plates -- 9 HPTLC Pre-coated Plates -- 9.1 HPTLC Spherical Silica Gel 60 -- 10 Improving Resolution with Buffers and Complexing Reagents -- 10.1 Impregnation of Sorbent before Layer Coating -- 10.2 Impregnation of the Ready Coated Layer -- 11 Silver Nitrate Impregnation -- 12 Charge Transfer TLC -- 13 Preparative Layer Chromatography (PLC) -- 14 References -- Chapter 3 Sample Pre-treatment -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Extractions from Solid Samples -- 3 Solid Phase Extraction Systems (SPE) -- 3.1 Diatomaceous Earth -- 3.2 Bonded Silica Gels and Polymers -- 3.3 Sorbent Conditioning -- 3.4 Sample Injection -- 3.5 Cleaning -- 3.6 Recovery of Analytes -- 4 References -- Chapter 4 Sample Application -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Selecting the Sample Solvent -- 3 Theoretical Determination of Spot Size -- 3.1 Spot Size and Loading Equations -- 3.2 Spot Capacity Equation -- 4 Sample Loading -- 4.1 Layer Damaging Effects -- 4.2 Humidity Considerations.

5 Sample Application Methods -- 5.1 Manual Methods -- 5.2 Instrumental Methods -- 5.2.1 Manual Instrumental Techniques -- 5.2.2 Automated Techniques -- 5.3 Large Sample Application -- 5.3.1 Contact Spotting -- 5.3.2 Use of Concentration Zone TLC/HPTLC -- 6 Choice of Band or Spot Application -- 7 References -- Chapter 5 Development Techniques -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The Theory of Solvent Migration -- 3 Mechanisms of TLC Separation -- 3.1 Introduction -- 3.2 Adsorption Separations -- 3.3 Partition Separations -- 3.4 Ion-exchange Separations -- 4 Solvent Selection -- 4.1 Eluotropic Series and Solvent Optimisation -- 4.1.1 Selectivity Triangles -- 4.1.2 PRISMA Model -- 5 Development Chambers -- 5.1 N-Chambers and Chamber Saturation Effects -- 5.2 Twin-trough Chamber -- 5.3 Sandwich, Horizontal and U-chambers -- 5.4 Automatic Developing Chamber (ADC) -- 5.5 Forced-flow Development (OPLC) -- 5.6 Vario Chambers -- 6 Multiple Development Techniques -- 6.1 Single Mobile Phase Multiple and Continuous Development -- 6.2 Two-dimensional Development -- 6.3 Manual Gradient Development -- 6.4 Automated Multiple Development (AMD) -- 7 Mobile Phase Additives -- 7.1 Use of Buffers and pH -- 7.2 Acid or Base Additives -- 7.3 Ion-pairing Reagents -- 7.4 Chiral Additives -- 7.4.1 Cyclodextrins -- 7.4.2 Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) -- 7.4.3 Other Chiral Selectors -- 7.5 Argentation (Silver Nitrate) TLC -- 8 References -- Chapter 6 Detection and Visualisation -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Non-destructive Techniques -- 2.1 Visible Detection -- 2.2 Ultra-violet Detection -- 2.3 Reversible Reactions -- 2.3.1 Iodine Vapour -- 2.3.2 Ammonia Vapour -- 2.4 Non-reversible Reactions -- 2.4.1 Fluorescent Dyes -- 2.4.2 pH Indicators -- 3 Destructive Techniques -- 3.1 Charring Reactions -- 3.2 Thermochemical Activation -- 4 Derivatisation Reactions.

4.1 Post-chromatographic Visualisation -- 4.1.1 Universal Chemical Reagents -- 4.1.2 Group Specific Reagents -- 4.1.3 Sequencing Reactions -- 4.2 Pre-chromatographic Visualisation -- 5 References -- Chapter 7 Quantification and Video Imaging -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Densitometry -- 2.1 Mode of Operation of Spectrodensitometers -- 2.2 Theory of Spectrodensitometry -- 3 Video Imaging and Densitometry -- 4 Future Trends - Spectrodensitometry or Video Imaging? -- 5 References -- Chapter 8 TLC Coupling Techniques -- 1 Introduction -- 2 TLC/HPTLC and HPLC -- 3 TLC and MS -- 4 TLC Coupled with FTIR -- 4.1 On-line TLC - FTIR -- 4.2 Off-line TLC - FTIR -- 5 TLC and Raman Spectroscopy -- 6 References -- Subject Index.