Evidence Indicating the Presence of Loosely-Bound Phenolic Groupings in Soil Organic Matter Extracts 1

Purified low molecular weight material from a sodium hydroxide extract of a peat soil was separated by paper chromatography into at least 8 components which coupled with diazotized spray reagents suggesting the presence of phenols, aromatic or aliphatic amines, β-diketo groups, imidazoles, or other highly reactive compounds. The color reactions with the diazonium sprays indicate the presence of derivatives of catechol and resorcinol. Aromaticity is further suggested by infrared spectra of fractions of the fulvic acid. Two components appear to be of the flavonoid type.