Separation and Identification of Mn, Co, Ni, and Zn:
A combination of Mn, Ni, Co and Zn may be separated by paper chromatography using Whatman No. 1 filter paper strip through developing along with a mixture of acetone, water-hydrochloric acid system. The spots are situated through the colouring reagents. These elements are identified by comparing with their characteristic Rf values of known with those in unknown mixture. The characteristic Rf values are as follows:
Ni - 0.09
Mn - 0.21
Co - 0.43
Cu - 0.61