Abstract
The hitherto existing gap in the field of chromatographic methods has been filled by the direct coupling of a suitable oven (TAS-oven) with TLC. The sample to be examined is heated either isothermally or linearly within the temperature gradient of $50{\sim}450^{\circ}C$. The volatile and/or thermolytically evolved substances are fractionated on the TLC-layer and subsequently chromatographed under standard conditions. Transport mechanisms from the sample to the TLC-layer, applications of the TAS-procedure and further developments are discussed. Thermofractography, developed from the TAS-procedure, is demonstrated on different groups of natural substances such as alkaloids, amino acids, nucleic acids. nucleosides, nucleotides, triglycerides and other lipids, pyrone glycosides and aglycon. Experimental work and results on the thermolysis of macromolecular natural and synthetic substances, natural polyphenols, tanning agents and leather and the possibilities of differentiating various lignins, carbohydrate and synthetic polymers are reported. Further, it is shown that classical reactions in the microgram range, e.g. zinc dust distillation, sulphur-and selenium dehydrogenation and catalytic dehydrogenation, can be coupled directly with TLC. Also described is a method which allows to investigate the gaseous compounds evolved during thermofractography in the range of up to $450^{\circ}C$. Thermal procedures coupled with TLC open up the following new possibilities for chemical microanalysis: fractionated separation of distillable and sublimable components, fractionated thermolysis and carrying out of thermal reactions in the ultra micro range.