Thin-Layer Chromatography

Thin-layer chromatography has become so widely known in the space of a few years that it has proved necessary to gather into book form and thus make generally accessible the experimental material previously only available in isolated publications. As thin-layer chromatography can be used both for organic and inorganic matter as well as on quantities ranging from the nanogram to the microgram, it is impossible for anyone individual to possess sufficient laboratory experience or overall knowledge to produce a practical handbook that will be of real assistance to be- ginner and specialist alike. For this reason, an international group was formed, who made it their task to produce the best possible treatise. In view of the present stage of development reached by thin-Iaycr chromatography, it seems specially apt that the authors should include yet unpublished work of their own. As thin-layer chromatography is used in many different fields in natural science and medicine, the kind of brief description of materials intelligible only to the expert has been avoided. The short guides to the chemical properties of the groups to be separated, their names, and relevant bibliographic details should facilitate introductory studies arid make possible a close acquaintance with the material in hand. It also seemed advisable to give brief details of the analytical classification of material, which is so often necessary. Although the classification used may appear unusual, it is in fact pre-eminently suitable to thin-layer chromatography.