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Solvent systems commonly used in lichenology for chemotaxonomy identification

Solvent system A: benzene:dioxane:acetic acid (90:25:4; 238 mL)

Solvent system B: hexane:ethyl ether:formic acid (5:4:1; 200 mL)

Solvent system C: toluene:acetic acid (85:15; 240 mL)

solvent system.png

How to interpret the table below (from Culberson, C. F., & Kristinsson, H.-D. (1970). A standardized method for the identification of lichen products. Journal of Chromatography A, 46, 85–93. doi:10.1016/s0021-9673(00)83967-9)

Solvent A Rf
Solvent B Rf
Solvent C Rf
Compounds
Spot coloration with H2SO4 and heat, (*), pigmentation, color reactions, etc.
4-5
5
5
microphyllinic
Pale*; KC+
4-5
5
6
unknown triterpene (?)
Brownish*; UV-
5
5
2-3
orcinol
Yellow*; C+
5
5
3
rhodophyscin
Pigment; greenish*; K+
5
5
3
norlobaridone
Geenish*; KC+
5
5
5
cryptochlorophaeic
Brown*; (K+),( C+), LC+
5
5
5-6
confluentic
Yellow*
5
5
6
planaic
Yellow*
5
5
6
unknown with usnic
Greenish*
5
5-6
6
merochlorophaeic
Purple*; K+, KC+, (C+)
5
6-7
5
thiophanic
yellowish pigment
5-6
5-6
6
zeorin
pink or pale brown*; UV-
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