Derivatization

The possibility of convenient chemical derivatization of substances separated on the plate is a strong advantage of planar chromatography. There are specific and non-specific reagents. An extensive list of reagents and their targeted groups can be found in the two-volume collection: 1a, and 1b.

It is possible, in some cases, to subsequently use a specific reagent and an universal reagent on the same plate. For example, the first derivatization with natural products reagent (2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate), specific for phenolic compounds like flavonoids, can be followed with anisaldehyde reagent, which is rather universal.

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References:

Reich E, Schibli A. High-performance Thin-layer Chromatography for the Analysis of Medicinal Plants. 2007. New York, NY: Thieme; 264 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1-58890-409-6.

1a: Jork J H, Funk W, Fischer W, Wimmer H. Thin-layer chromatography; reagents and detection methods; physical and chemical detection methods: fundamentals, reagents I. Vol. 1a, VCH, Weinheim, 1990, 464 pp. ISBN 3-527-27834-6.

1b: Jork J H, Funk W, Fischer W, Wimmer H. Thin-layer chromatography: Reagents and detection methods. Vol. 1b, VCH, Weinheim, 1994, 496 pp. ISBN-10 : 156081103X.