Selectivity and sensitivity of some thin-layer chromatographic detection systems.

The selectivity and sensitivity of some thin-layer chromatographic detection systems widely used internationally and developed in our laboratory were studied. Halogenated organophosphorus pesticides were found to interfere with the detection of organochlorine pesticides when using silver nitrate-2-phenoxyethanol. The stability of colours formed by the 4-(4'-nitrobenzyl)pyridine-tetraethylenepentamine system was enhanced by spraying with acetic acid and allowed densitometric evaluation. The most sensitive detection method for thiocarbamates is the reaction with 2,6-dichlorobenzoquinone-N-chloroimine or its dibromo analogue (50 ng). Application of this method for sulphur-containing organophosphorus insecticides results in the same or better sensitivity. Quantitation of these compounds was carried out by densitometry.