Reverse Phase Thin-Layer Chromatographic Separation of Bromodiphenhydramine and Diphenhydramine

A thin-layer chromatographic system Is described for the separation of diphenhydramine and bromodiphenhydramine which is based on a reverse phase paper chromatographic system developed by J. Večerková (2,3) in 1962. Chromatographic systems for this separation described in the literature and several systems attempted in this laboratory using normal chromatography have not proven successful. The method using reverse phase thin-layer chromatography involves a stationary phase of mineral oil on silica gel G and a mobile phase of ethanol:water:ammonium hydroxide, 28% NH3, (55:43:2). A 10-cm length of run requires about three hours and provides an excellent separation of the two compounds for identification-differentiation purposes.