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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.
3
5
5
virensic
Gray black*; PD+, K+
3
5
5
baeomycesic
Yellow*; PD+
3
5
5
psoromic
deep yellow or brown*; PD+
5-6
5
4-o-methylgyrophoric acid
Yellow*
3
6
5
evernic
Yellow*
3
6
5
grayanic
Brownish*; PD+
3-4
5
3
olivetoric
Yellow*; C+
3-4
5-6
4
alectorialic
Brown*; C+, KC+, PD+
4
1-3
1-4
entothein
Pigment; pale streak*
4
3
3
strepsilin
Pale*; C+ green
4
4
4
norstictic
Yellow*; K+, PD+
4
5
3
orsellinic
Yellow*; C+
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