Reaction electrophoresis

The differential mobilities of compounds in an electric field are important analytical criteria and we can use them to bring electrophoretically pure components of a mixture medium on which they are separated. To this end, the compound undergoing reaction are brought into positions on the carrier to assure optimal contact between selected fractions, within a predetermined domain of time and distance. The appearance of a product defines their reactivities, and the product's continued migration on the same carrier can provide the first key to its identity as is demonstrated and discussed. The method is called reaction electrophoresis and it will be of particular use in studies with labile components. It is illustrated here with the coupling reaction of the sodium salt of 1,4-naphthol sulfonic acid and tetrazotized o-dianisidine.