Triterpene Derivatives and their Glycosides

Compounds of the triterpene series may be regarded as 0301148-derivatives. They are cycHc compounds with 4 or 5 ring systems, apart from a few exceptions such as squalene. Both classes can be termed formally phenanthrene derivatives. They are thus related to the steroids, which partly expresses itself in their similar chromatographic behaviour [229, 298] (p. 347). 

There seems little point in subdividing the triterpenes into classes according to polarity, as done with the 10 -derivatives. With a view to preliminary separation of the substances during isolation, a division into neutral and acid triterpene derivatives is to be recommended. The hydrophilic triterpene glycosides can then profitably be separated from these ( bitter principles and saponins ). 

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