Detection Methods:

After development of chromatogram, a solvent front is marked and the solvent is dried. The spots of the separated compounds are then detected in a variety of ways by using any one of the following methods.

i) Reactions with colouring reagents such as dimethylglyoxime for Ni and hydrogen sulphide gas for any of Gr II elements

ii) Fluorescence producing reagents

iii) Inherent shows colours of the components such as sulphides and oxides

iv) An Radioactivity measurement of radiotracers

v) Electrochemical methods such as potentiometry, conductance measurements and polarography have been successfully used for the detection and quantitative analysis in paper chromatography. However, these methods are of limited importance and not commonly used.