Separation efficiency of polyamide and cellulose TLC layers in terms of the separation number (SN)

In our previous paper on this topic we introduced a new approach to the sep aration number (SN) in planar chromatography, having made the assumption of the effective diffusion of the chromatographic bands. This new model was i mmediately verified by use of selected test solutes chromatographed on sili ca and alumina layers. In this paper we extend the applicability of this mo del to chromatographic systems with significantly less active adsorbents (i .e. polyamide and cellulose), and correspondingly chosen single and mixed m obile phases. It was our principal aim to evaluate the separation performan ce of these chromatographic systems with the separation number as performan ce criterion. We have also attempted to draw molecular-level conclusions ab out the mechanism of retention of the test solutes on the different adsorbe nts, on the basis of the numerical values of their separation numbers. Fina lly, we compare the results from our previous study (performed with silica and alumina) with those obtained by use of polyamide and cellulose, and dra w relevant conclusions.