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Fundamentals of preparative and nonlinear chromatography
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA ELSEVIER
Analytica
Chimica Acta 302 (1995) 127- 130
Book Reviews H.J.Th. Bloemen
and J. Bum (Eds.), Chemistry and
Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds
in the Emi-
ronment, Blackie, London, 1993 (ISBN 0000-9). xiv + 290 pp. Price f65.00.
0-7514-
Fashions come and go in environmental chemistry and likewise in environmental analysis. Whilst volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have never been a focus of fashion in the manner of heavy metals, acid rain and greenhouse gases, there has been a steady interest which is now building to a high level as the enormous importance of VOCs as environmental contaminants is recognised. This book therefore provides an extremely timely review of many aspects of the environmental occurrence, toxicity and analysis of VOCs. Despite the title, the chemical reactions of VOCs in the environment are rarely mentioned and are not covered in detail. There are seven chapters. Apart from one (on occupational health) which is relatively brief, the others are substantial and heavily referenced reviews which deal in depth with environmental exposure (author L.A. Wallis) and health effects (G.J.A. Speijersl of VOCs, air pollution (P. Ciccioli), water pollution (D. Kotzias and C. Sparta) and soil pollution (J.J.G. Kliest) aspects of VOCs, and future monitoring techniques for atmospheric VOCs (W.A. McClenny). Thus, most aspects of the environmental occurrence and significance of VOCs are included and there is a wealth of information valuable both to specialists in the field and to those requiring information on a specific aspect. Analytical techniques are reviewed in detail, as well as sampling and extraction procedures relevant to environmental samples. The book is in most aspects very up-to-date, although it is pleasing to note that the automated gas chromatographs covered under the title of “Future 0003.2670/95/$09.50 6 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDI 0003-2670(94)00657-l
Monitoring Techniques” have been in use in national monitoring networks in the United Kingdom since 1991. I can warmly recommend this book both as a reference work for the library, but also for the individual bookshelf of those with a serious interest in the subject. Roy M. Harrison
G. Guiochon,
S. Golshan-Shirazi
Fundamentals
of Preparative
matography,
Academic Press, xv + 701 pp. Price US$95.00.
and A.M.
and Nonlinear
Boston,
MA.
Katti, Chro-
1994.
For some time there has been a need for a book that summarized the advances on the understanding of the fundamental processes of chromatographic separations made in the last decade. This book does this and more, and potential readers should not be perturbed by its title, as its coverage of separation processes is wider than it might seem at first sight. There is an ample discussion of linear chromatography and of kinetic and transport phenomena pertaining to analytical separations. This is a book about fundamentals and is mathematically oriented. The blend of equations and text is about right, and in spite of the fact that the emphasis is on the mathematical description of the chromatographic process, it is still very readable and should appeal to a wider audience than is normally attracted to a theoretical treatise. On the other hand, this is not a how-to-do instruction book for the bench chemist, in the sense that it details the practice of preparative chromatography. Minimal attention is given to instrumentation, column technology, method development, and so forth, but there is a wealth of informa-
128
Book Reuiews/Anafytica
Chimica Acta 302 (199.5) 127-130
tion to aid the experimental chemist in understanding the processes that he uses to create a separation. The book does have a feel of being a treatise, being complete in all aspects that it describes, and is copiously and attractively illustrated. This is a scholarly book that was a joy to read and ponder over the concepts illuminated with admirable clarity. The contents of the book can briefly be described under the broad headings of mass balance equations of chromatography, equilibrium isotherms, transport phenomena, linear chromatography, ideal model of chromatography, displacement chromatography, equilibrium-displacement model of chromatography, kinetic models, and preparative chromatography. Included is a very useful glossary of terms and definitions and an adequate index. There are many sacrifices involved in writing a book and sometimes the end product is not worth the effort consumed. That is not true in this case and the authors are to be congratulated on a job well done, for which they may have to accept the praise of their peers as their main reward. This book will be a library staple for many years to come and is a good investment for the curious and serious practitioners of chromatography, particularly those interested in process and large scale separations. Colin F. Poole
D.C. Cullum (Ed.), Introduction to Surfactant Analysis, Blackie, Glasgow, 1994 (ISBN o-7514-0025-4). vi + 352 pp. Price f69.00. The nature of surfactants, the fact they they are seldom single homologues, and the complexity of formulations in which they can be found, all contribute to presenting even experienced chemists with some difficult analyses. This book will be a worthy guide for those about to embark upon surfactant analysis. This book will provide both the novice and experienced chemist with a clear, well-structured introduction to surfactant analysis. The text achieves a good balance between the theoretical aspects of the chemistry and sound practical instruction. The recommended techniques are often accompanied by useful advice obviously derived from extensive experience.
The early chapters contain a broad overview of surfactant types, the basic analytical techniques used to analyse surfactants, and separation techniques used in surfactant analysis. In particular, a thorough review of ion-exchange systems is presented. This is an area which in practice can demand some skill from the analyst, and this chapter will be instructive. The middle portion of the book discusses methods for the analysis of all the common types of surfactants. Many of the techniques and assays detailed are based upon less expensive wet chemical techniques which are still the workhorses of many laboratories. Also a very useful chapter details applications and strategies for the analysis of mixtures and formulations without prior separation. The final part of the book contains four chapters, written by experts, on the application of chromatography, infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. They all describe detailed applications of these techniques for key analyses. In spite of the reluctance of many laboratories analysing surfactants to invest in more expensive instrumentation, there are plenty of examples given which would support the investment case. Perhaps with the growing emphasis upon detection at trace levels and in environmental analysis this will become inevitable. The general area of environmental analysis of surfactants has been the subject of much research and development in recent years and some of this material would be a worthy addition to this book. In summary, this book will make an excellent introduction to the field, and become a useful reference text for all laboratories working in surfactant analysis. Christopher
J. Dowle
J. Zyka, Instrumentation in Analytical Chemistry II, Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1994 (ISBN 0-13472226-4). 336 pp. Price US$llO.OO. Having reviewed the first volume of the series (Anal. Chim. Actu, 268(l) (1992) 191) it is appropriate to consider the contents of the second volume. The first volume was disappointing from the point of it being an up-to-date text and this continues to be
Analytica
Chimica Acta 302 (1995) 127- 130
Book Reviews H.J.Th. Bloemen
and J. Bum (Eds.), Chemistry and
Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds
in the Emi-
ronment, Blackie, London, 1993 (ISBN 0000-9). xiv + 290 pp. Price f65.00.
0-7514-
Fashions come and go in environmental chemistry and likewise in environmental analysis. Whilst volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have never been a focus of fashion in the manner of heavy metals, acid rain and greenhouse gases, there has been a steady interest which is now building to a high level as the enormous importance of VOCs as environmental contaminants is recognised. This book therefore provides an extremely timely review of many aspects of the environmental occurrence, toxicity and analysis of VOCs. Despite the title, the chemical reactions of VOCs in the environment are rarely mentioned and are not covered in detail. There are seven chapters. Apart from one (on occupational health) which is relatively brief, the others are substantial and heavily referenced reviews which deal in depth with environmental exposure (author L.A. Wallis) and health effects (G.J.A. Speijersl of VOCs, air pollution (P. Ciccioli), water pollution (D. Kotzias and C. Sparta) and soil pollution (J.J.G. Kliest) aspects of VOCs, and future monitoring techniques for atmospheric VOCs (W.A. McClenny). Thus, most aspects of the environmental occurrence and significance of VOCs are included and there is a wealth of information valuable both to specialists in the field and to those requiring information on a specific aspect. Analytical techniques are reviewed in detail, as well as sampling and extraction procedures relevant to environmental samples. The book is in most aspects very up-to-date, although it is pleasing to note that the automated gas chromatographs covered under the title of “Future 0003.2670/95/$09.50 6 1995 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved SSDI 0003-2670(94)00657-l
Monitoring Techniques” have been in use in national monitoring networks in the United Kingdom since 1991. I can warmly recommend this book both as a reference work for the library, but also for the individual bookshelf of those with a serious interest in the subject. Roy M. Harrison
G. Guiochon,
S. Golshan-Shirazi
Fundamentals
of Preparative
matography,
Academic Press, xv + 701 pp. Price US$95.00.
and A.M.
and Nonlinear
Boston,
MA.
Katti, Chro-
1994.
For some time there has been a need for a book that summarized the advances on the understanding of the fundamental processes of chromatographic separations made in the last decade. This book does this and more, and potential readers should not be perturbed by its title, as its coverage of separation processes is wider than it might seem at first sight. There is an ample discussion of linear chromatography and of kinetic and transport phenomena pertaining to analytical separations. This is a book about fundamentals and is mathematically oriented. The blend of equations and text is about right, and in spite of the fact that the emphasis is on the mathematical description of the chromatographic process, it is still very readable and should appeal to a wider audience than is normally attracted to a theoretical treatise. On the other hand, this is not a how-to-do instruction book for the bench chemist, in the sense that it details the practice of preparative chromatography. Minimal attention is given to instrumentation, column technology, method development, and so forth, but there is a wealth of informa-
128
Book Reuiews/Anafytica
Chimica Acta 302 (199.5) 127-130
tion to aid the experimental chemist in understanding the processes that he uses to create a separation. The book does have a feel of being a treatise, being complete in all aspects that it describes, and is copiously and attractively illustrated. This is a scholarly book that was a joy to read and ponder over the concepts illuminated with admirable clarity. The contents of the book can briefly be described under the broad headings of mass balance equations of chromatography, equilibrium isotherms, transport phenomena, linear chromatography, ideal model of chromatography, displacement chromatography, equilibrium-displacement model of chromatography, kinetic models, and preparative chromatography. Included is a very useful glossary of terms and definitions and an adequate index. There are many sacrifices involved in writing a book and sometimes the end product is not worth the effort consumed. That is not true in this case and the authors are to be congratulated on a job well done, for which they may have to accept the praise of their peers as their main reward. This book will be a library staple for many years to come and is a good investment for the curious and serious practitioners of chromatography, particularly those interested in process and large scale separations. Colin F. Poole
D.C. Cullum (Ed.), Introduction to Surfactant Analysis, Blackie, Glasgow, 1994 (ISBN o-7514-0025-4). vi + 352 pp. Price f69.00. The nature of surfactants, the fact they they are seldom single homologues, and the complexity of formulations in which they can be found, all contribute to presenting even experienced chemists with some difficult analyses. This book will be a worthy guide for those about to embark upon surfactant analysis. This book will provide both the novice and experienced chemist with a clear, well-structured introduction to surfactant analysis. The text achieves a good balance between the theoretical aspects of the chemistry and sound practical instruction. The recommended techniques are often accompanied by useful advice obviously derived from extensive experience.
The early chapters contain a broad overview of surfactant types, the basic analytical techniques used to analyse surfactants, and separation techniques used in surfactant analysis. In particular, a thorough review of ion-exchange systems is presented. This is an area which in practice can demand some skill from the analyst, and this chapter will be instructive. The middle portion of the book discusses methods for the analysis of all the common types of surfactants. Many of the techniques and assays detailed are based upon less expensive wet chemical techniques which are still the workhorses of many laboratories. Also a very useful chapter details applications and strategies for the analysis of mixtures and formulations without prior separation. The final part of the book contains four chapters, written by experts, on the application of chromatography, infra-red spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. They all describe detailed applications of these techniques for key analyses. In spite of the reluctance of many laboratories analysing surfactants to invest in more expensive instrumentation, there are plenty of examples given which would support the investment case. Perhaps with the growing emphasis upon detection at trace levels and in environmental analysis this will become inevitable. The general area of environmental analysis of surfactants has been the subject of much research and development in recent years and some of this material would be a worthy addition to this book. In summary, this book will make an excellent introduction to the field, and become a useful reference text for all laboratories working in surfactant analysis. Christopher
J. Dowle
J. Zyka, Instrumentation in Analytical Chemistry II, Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1994 (ISBN 0-13472226-4). 336 pp. Price US$llO.OO. Having reviewed the first volume of the series (Anal. Chim. Actu, 268(l) (1992) 191) it is appropriate to consider the contents of the second volume. The first volume was disappointing from the point of it being an up-to-date text and this continues to be