REVERSED PHASE HIGH-PERFORMANCE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHIC BEHAVIOR OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS AND COAL-TAR PITCH

The Rf and Rm values of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been measured in reversed phase high performance thin layer chromatography (RPHPTLC) using an octadecyl-bonded silica gel precoated plate and ten different solvents. The Rf and Rm values are correlated with the van der waals volumes (V(V)) of PAH and the polarity of solvents. The linear relationships between the Rm values and V(V) of PAH were observed. These relationships were well explained by introducing a partition concept with the solubility parameter theory. Same linear relationship was also observed for the Rm values of PAH in coal tar pitch and their molecular weight (MW). The RPHPTLC method is useful for analysing coal tar pitch, because it provides MW and V(V) by a simple and rapid procedure.