Poly(ethylene glycol) as impregnator for silica gel in salting-out thin-layer chromatography of some Co(III) complexes

Silica gel impregnated with poly(ethylene glycol) of different molecular mass (400, 1000, 1540, 4000, and 5500) was investigated for salting-out thin-layer chromatography of 15 mixed aminocarboxylato Co(III) complexes using eight ammonium sulphate solutions as mobile phases. Regularities established earlier for non-impregnated adsorbents are also valid in this work. Poly(ethylene glycol) of high molecular mass increases the hydrophobicity of the adsorbent. Positive linear dependence of R-M values and of salting-out efficiency on average poly(ethylene glycol) molecular mass was usually observed. In contrast with non-impregnated silica gel, separation was achieved between complexes with the smallest hydrocarbon groups.