Rapid Characterization of Small Amounts of Oil by Thin-Layer Silica-gel Chromatography

MOST methods for characterizing small amounts of oil (for example, 0.1–2.0 mgm.) are based on spectroscopic techniques. When chemical techniques are applicable they are time-consuming. There is a need for a simple method not requiring expensive apparatus and I have applied thin-layer silica-gel chromatography 1 . A review of some applications of this type of chromatography has recently been published 2 , and the apparatus for preparing the thin layers of absorbent is commercially available (Camlab (Glass), Ltd., Cambridge).