Barbiturate chemistry: separation TLC identification and mechanism of reaction.

Thin layer chromatography and chemical detection procedures for barbiturates are described and the reaction mechanism introduced. We show that by this technique barbiturates can be characterized as long, intermediate, short, and very short acting, with a few exceptions, by Rf value and by the typical spot color hue. The factors involved and chemical requirements for color are mentioned, e.g. 1. Behavior in organic solvents 2. Silica Gel polarity and pH 3. Functional groups responsible for interaction with the reagent 4. pH and chemicals of the color developer 5. Mechanism of reaction.