The properties of silica gel as stationary phase are determined mainly by siloxane, silanol and metal-silanate functional groups. The metals (Na, Ca etc.) getting into the product as trace elements in the course of manufacture may cause the appearance of artefacts. In our previous studies the ion exchange interactions between salt-type analytes and silanol or metal-silanate groups were investigated. It was found in the TLC test of the salts of organic acids and N-bases that the acids and bases are separated from their counter ions and accept protons from or donate to the silica gel layer. In the present paper several analytes of above type have been investigated in situ by remission spectroscopy. These are: phenobarbital, sulfinpyrazone, sulfucetamide, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, (and their Na-salts) and papaverine hydrochloride. Remission spectra were registered from the start spot directly after application and then from the spot after development with the CHCl3EtOH (9 + 1) mobile phase. Based on the difference between the remission spectra of protonated and deprotonated forms of the analytes, the deviations from the initial state could be established. On the basis of the shift of lambda max values one can conclude to the approximate ratio of the protonated (acid) and deprotonated (anion, base) form present in the examined points (middle or edge) of the chromatographic spot. Significantly different protonation states of the analytes were found in the start spots and in the developed spots. These findings are interpreted by the ion exchange interactions between the pharmacon and silica gel. The results provide a deeper insight into the mechanisms of TLC process.