Separation of Barbiturates Using Reverse-Phase Thin-Layer Chromatography

Abstract
A procedure for separating barbiturates by reverse-phase TLC is described. A spotted TLC plate is dipped in mineral oil/petroleum ether (1:10) and run 15 cm in a solvent of water/methanol/ammonium hydroxide, (80:20:2). After visualization, the drugs tested [phenobarbital, butabarbital, amobarbital, pentobarbital, secobarbital, diphenylhydantoin, ethchlorvynol and glutethimide] showed distinct separation.