Detection of alpha-methyldopa on thin-layer plates using pi-acceptors in 1,4-dioxane

pi-Acceptors (P-chloranil and chloranilic acid) in 1,4-dioxane were used to detect alpha-methyldopa on thin layer plates. Thin layer plates coated to a thickness of 0.25 mm with silica gel G60 were spotted with solution of alpha-methyldopa from drug formulations and pure alpha-methyldopa solution. The plates were developed in a solvent system of methanol: glacial acetic acid: water (14:5:3). The developed plates were dried and sprayed with pi-acceptors, and further were counter-sprayed with dimethylformamide (DMF). P-Chloranil gave an immediate blue green complex with alpha-methyldopa which intensified on counter-sprayed with DMF. alpha-methyldopa (reference sample and those from drug formulations) gave Rf of 0.85 and excipients from the drug formulations did not interfere with the result.