Direct Fluorescent Detection of Organothiophosphorus Pesticides and Some of Their Sulfur-containing Breakdown Products After Thin Layer Chromatography
Abstract A rapid, simple, convenient, and widely applicable method for the direct fluorescent detection of organothiophosphorus pesticides and some postulated breakdown products of these compounds is presented. The coinpounds were spotted on thin layer chromatographic sheets, developed in ethyl acetate :nhexane, and made visible by exposure to bromine vapor followed by spraying with ferric chloride and 2-(o-hydroxy phenyl) benzoxazole. Of the 47 compounds tested, 32 compounds produced fluorescent blue spots vinder longwave ultraviolet light; these consisted of 25 organothiophosphorus pesticides, 5 sulfur-containing breakdown products, and phosphoric and hypophosphorous acids. A superimposed Congo red spray destroyed the fluorescence and resulted in dark blue spots against a red backgrovind. The sensitivity of this method is in the range of 0.2 to 5.0 μg, depending on the specific compound.