2-Amino-2-deoxyhexoses can be analyzed by gas–liquid partition chromatography of their 2-acet-amido-1,3,4,5,6-penta-O-acetyl-2-deoxyglycitol derivatives prepared by borohydride reduction of the aminoglycoses followed by acetylation of the resulting aminoglycitols with acetic anhydride in the presence of sodium acetate.