Separation of fuchsin homologs using high performance liquid chromatography.

Commercial samples of basic fuchsin contain variable proportions of four homologs, pararosaniline, rosaniline, magenta II, and new fuchsin. That different samples of dyes give variable staining is documented in the literature. Three commercial samples of basic fuchsin were investigated using high performance liquid chromatography. Separation of homologs was achieved using a C18 adsorbant and a solvent system of methanol:water:glacial acetic acid (66:24:10).