Thin-layer chromatography of elemental silver

Abstract

Elemental sulphur may be chromatographed on silica gel G using hexane as solvent and may be detected by a silver nitrate reagent, down to levels of 0·02 μg. Hexachlorobenzene has the same R value under these conditions but confusion with sulphur in hexachlorobenzene identification may be reduced by ultraviolet irradiation of the plate prior to spraying of the reagent.