CHROMATOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF METAL-COMPLEXES .7. THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY OF COBALT(III) COMPLEXES

Thin-layer chromatography of a variety of inert cobalt(III) complexes of different charges (+ 3, + 2, + 1, 0, -1, -3) shows that silica gel is charged negatively in contact with water. Cationic complexes do not move on an anionic silica gel bed; strong adsorption is observed between the complex cation and the negatively charged silanol group of the silica gel. Such strong binding can be reduced considerably by using electrolytes such as KI, KCI, K2SO4, etc. In the case of neutral and anionic complexes no such binding is observed. A close connection between R, values and charges of complexes was observed.