Practical kinetics II: quantitation of procaine stability by TLC.

This work illustrates further application of TLC as a tool in kinetic investigations of organic molecules. The procedure consists of: (a) streaking or spotting a known volume of reaction solution on thin-layer plates, (b) developing the plates, (c) eluting the compound under study from the adsorbent, and (d) assaying the material in solution. Procaine was examined regarding its hydrolysis at above ambient temperatures. The reaction was monitored spectrally and by the TLC technique. Velocity constants derived by the two methods were similar in value. Rate constants obtained from procaine samples eluted from silica gel plates following development were in good agreement with those previously reported in the literature.