Abstract
A flash chromatography method for preparative separation and purification of five hydroxyanthraquinones from the Chinese medicinal herb Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex Balf. was developed by using Flash Master Personal+ systems. The purities of the products, chrysophanol, physcion, emodin, aloe‐emodin, and rhein were all over 90%, determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were ascertained by EI‐MS, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR data, and by co‐TLC and HPLC with the authentic samples available in our laboratory.