Micro Separations by Chromatographic Adsorption on Blotting Paper

THE separation of mixtures on a micro scale by chromatographic adsorption was carried out as long ago as 1910 by Tswett, the discoverer of the process, and by various others since, but the method has not been applied as extensively as its extraordinary power would warrant. The preparation of the adsorbent column and the development of the chromatogram are troublesome and time-consuming operations and the process ordinarily comes under consideration only as a last resort. The purpose of this communication is to describe a simple and rapid method of effecting such separations which avoids entirely the difficulties inherent in the use of Tswett columns, and which, in addition, possess distinct advantages of its own.