Visualizing agents for esters of higher fatty acids in TLC

Eighteen nem agents have been used for visualizing eight esters of higher f atty acids after chromatography on silica gel, on a mixture of silica gel a nd kieselguhr, and on neutral aluminum oxide. Limits of detection (detectab ility, D), detectability index, and broadening index mere determined for th e esters investigated after use of the visualizing agents. For all the este rs investigated the best detectability was obtained on the mixture of silic a gel 60 and kieselguhr F-254; it was worse on silica gel 60 F-254 and wors t on neutral aluminum oxide. Bromophenol blue was the best and most univers al visualizing agent for all the esters investigated on all the chromatogra phic supports.