Paper Chromatography of Nicotinic Acid Derivatives

Abstract

LEIFER et al.¹ have reported the paper chromatography of nicotinic acid with the use of microbiological assay. While our work was in progress, Huebner² described a spot test for detection of some pyridine derivatives. The present work describes sensitive qualitative techniques developed in this Laboratory for the detection of tertiary and quaternary pyridinium compounds. The laborious procedure involved in the microbiological method of Leifer et al.¹ is obviated by rapid colour or fluorescent tests. For the colour test, advantage was taken of König's³ reaction, namely, the formation of coloured compounds when tertiary pyridine derivatives are treated with cyanogen bromide and a primary aromatic amine. The fluorescence test allows the detection of quaternary nicotinamide derivatives. Use is made of the formation of bluish-white fluorescent substances when quaternary pyridine compounds with a side chain CO—NH—R in the β position are treated with methyl ethyl ketone and ammonia⁴.