Separation of the components of commercial digitonin using high-performance liquid chromatography and centrifugal countercurrent chromatography. Identification of the products by californium-252 plasma desorption mass spectrometry.

Commercial digitonin has been separated into its components using high-performance liquid chromatography and centrifugal countercurrent chromatography. The individual glucosides have been identified by californium-252 plasma desorption mass spectrometry, occasionally supplemented by hydrolysis and analysis of the liberated sugars and aglycones. Mass spectra of commercial digitonin that have appeared in the literature are discussed in the light of their complex nature. A new glycoside of molecular weight 1035 is described and a structure proposed.