Thin layer chromatography in the separation of unsaturated organic compounds using silver-thiolate chromatographic material

We report the use of silver-thiolate chromatographic material (AgTCM) as a stable material for use in TLC. The AgTCM stationary phase operates under the same principles as silver-ion chromatography, separating compounds by degree of unsaturation; however, the AgTCM stationary phase shows considerable advantages over Ag-TLC in terms of light stability and shelf lifetime. We demonstrate the light stability of the AgTCM-TLC and its application for separations based on the degrees of unsaturation using fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

► Silver(I)-mercaptopropyl modified silica gel used in thin layer chromatography (TLC). ► Enhanced light stability and shelf lifetime over conventional silver based TLC methods. ► Demonstration of retention properties of PAHs and FAMEs.