The reactions of chloranil, fluoranil, 2,5 dichlorobenzoquinone and chloranilic acid with some alkaloids on thin layer chromatograms were examined with a view to determine their suitability as visualizing agents. Chloranil and 2,5 dichlorobenzoquinone (each 0.5% w/v in dioxan) were found to be most suitable as they gave coloured reaction products with many alkaloids.
Location reagents p-chloranil, p-fluoranil, 2,5-dichlorobenzoquinone - alkaloids - charge-transfer complexation
