title: Choice of thin-layer chromatographic systems for the routine screening for neutral drugs during toxicological analyses.
abstract: The efficiencies of fifteen thin-layer silica gel chromatographic systems for separating commonly encountered neutral drugs are compared. The discriminating powers of the systems are measured both individually and in combination. Chloroform-acetone (4:1) is found to be the best system. The combination of the ethyl acetate-methanol-ammonia (85:10:5) system with this gives the best pair of systems. A suitable sequence of spray reagents is also suggested. The chloroform-acetone (4:1) system is recommended as the best system to use when screening for both acidic and neutral drugs.
mesh_terms: D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D012997:Solvents; D014116:Toxicology
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012997:Solvents