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Process analytical chemistry
412
Book Reviews
E.J. Newman (Ed.), Quality in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning (ACOL) Series, Wiley, Chichester, 1995 (ISBN 0-471-95470-S (paper)). xxviii + 307 pp. Price f 24.95/US $ 39.95 (paper), f 45.OO/US $ 75.00 (cloth).
One of the concerns about the quality of analytical chemists emerging from our institutions of higher education is that they are too focused on techniques and theoretical considerations. Many lack a broader appreciation of the real nature of the practice of analysis and the quality requirements of the information they produce. This deficiency is due, in part, to the lack of an introductory text which covers the ground in an easily digestible format. The present book has been written by a team from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist as part of the Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) Initiative in collaboration with ACOL. The result is a most readable text which should be required reading for all students of analytical chemistry. The authors have assumed a knowledge of chemistry to UK A-level standard and, by implication, familiarity with basic statistical concepts. Those readers lacking the latter will find the chapter on Measurement Uncertainty more difficult, but not impossible, to follow. The topics covered are: An introduction to quality assurance; Sampling; Selecting the method; Selecting the equipment and consumables; Making measurements and reporting; Measurement uncertainty; and Quality systems in chemical laboratories. Throughout the book, two effective devices are used to enable the reader to self-test their understanding as the book progresses. These are the n and SAQ conventions. Paragraphs starting with n pose short questions to the reader and have an immediate response in the succeeding paragraph. It is suggested that readers cover up this paragraph and jot down their thoughts before reading on, thereby involving them. This is an excellent means of helping the student who is studying without the aid of a tutor. The second device, SAQs, self assessment questions, is more formal and space is provided to enable the student to make notes and devise solutions within the book itself. A response from the
author of the question is given in an appendix to allow self assessment. The chapters are written as introductions to the topics and are simplified in many instances. For example, the example for laboratory proficiency testing only deals with outliers in a cursory way and does not reference the latest harmonized protocol’for collaborative trials recently published. The bibliographies provided are intended to allow the student to study more specific texts as appropriate. Perhaps they might have been more comprehensive, especially in the early chapters. The last two chapters on measurement uncertainty and quality systems for chemical laboratories are more challenging than the others. The former is a different approach to that traditionally taught and needs more careful study. However it is well worthwhile pursuing and is in line with the latest thinking on the expression of analytical data. The last chapter is a good introduction to general quality systems, particularly NAMAS, although it is disappointing that GMP has not been covered given the importance of the pharmaceutical industry. This said, however, the GLP system is discussed along with aspects of quality auditing and quality system reviews which may well be novel to many students. As the text is so readable and ‘user-friendly’, this book provides an excellent overview of how relevant, reliable and robust analytical information may be generated. Highly recommended.
C. Burgess
F. McLennan and B. Kowalski (Eds.), Process Analytical Chemistry, Blackie, London, 1995 (ISBN O7514-0038-6). xiii + 376 pp. Price f 75.00.
This is a most timely account of an area of analytical science that is poised to expand very rapidly. The value of on-line analysis is becoming increasingly recognized, as is the requirement to consider this aspect as an integral part of chemical process design. This text comprises eleven chapters, written by 20 leading practitioners from the USA and the UK. The scene is set by McLennan followed
Book Reviews
by discussions of sampling systems, physical property analysers, process chromatography, flow injection analysis, molecular spectroscopy (optical and mass), non-invasive techniques and electrochemical methods. Wise and Kowalski contribute a major chapter on process chemometrics, and there is a discussion chapter based on five examples of environmental monitoring (pollution control and prevention). The final chapter deals with future developments of chemical sensor and analyser systems. All the articles are clearly written, and well illustrated. They give a comprehensive overview of the subject, and should provide an excellent background for anyone wishing to become involved in process analytical chemistry Alan Townshend
R.P.W. Scott, Techniques and Practice of Chromatography, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1995 (ISBN o-8247-9460-5). xii + 395 pp. Price US $ 115.00. Volume 70 in the well known “Chromatographic Science Series” is by a recognized doyen of the subject. Scott’s declared aim has been to provide a text dealing with chromatography in general, to cover some, but not all, forms in detail and to provide a rationale for determining which forms are appropriate for particular problems. The text is divided into 4 parts, the first deals with the chromatographic process, detailing thermodynamic and molecular explanations of retention, causes of peak dispersion and aspects of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The other three parts concern gas, liquid and thin layer chromatography, detailing contemporary apparatus, stationary and mobile phases, detection, and typical applications. Apart from the omission of discussion of supercritical fluid chromatography, the text is a well balanced blend of theory and practice. As such it will provide readily accessible basic information on separation procedures, essential to many, as these are probably the most important techniques commonly employed in the scientific activities of both university and industry at this time. D. Thorbum
Bums
413
Marvin C. McMaster, HPLC, A Practical User’s Guide, VCH, New York (ISBN l-56081-636-8). DM 98.00.
This is a useful book for the common laboratory practice of HPLC users. I agree with the author’s comment at the beginning of the book that the HPLC operator needs to understand the system, its columns and the chemistry of the compounds to be separated. The book has three parts: Part I gives information on how to get the HPLC system running, Part II describes a very practical situation where common mistakes occur: the HPLC columns and other components, with particular emphasis on troubleshooting. Part III discusses real world applications according to the author’s point of view. This book is certainly very practical. See, for instance subheadings: How does the chromatograph work? The few tips how to keep your column in good condition are useful and I can recommend this to be followed by HPLC users. The fitting types and hardware plumbing, the description of column killers and how to solve such problems is also of great interest to users. I have particularly found pieces of interest that never were discussed in other books. For example, which HPLC equipment we need to buy. The four options given by the author, including the cost, isocratic, flexible gradient, fully automated and fully automated with state-of-the-art detectors are realistic. However I have found, in the automation process, that equipment like Prospekt (Spark, Holland) or OSP-2 (Merck, Germany) are not even mentioned as part of fully automated systems which are widely commercialized. But it is also true that such equipment is more implemented in Europe as compared to the USA. The separation guide in the appendix is not very useful and reflects the partial vision of the author. Certainly with some researching much more interesting separations and conditions could be found in the open literature. Probably a list of target compounds with UV maxima is of interest. The last part, with utilization of HPLC together with the examples given is the worst part. Although this part contains HPLCMS, and by the way, is quite well explained with all the different types of interfaces used, I would have given more emphasis to the description of powerful
Book Reviews
E.J. Newman (Ed.), Quality in the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Analytical Chemistry by Open Learning (ACOL) Series, Wiley, Chichester, 1995 (ISBN 0-471-95470-S (paper)). xxviii + 307 pp. Price f 24.95/US $ 39.95 (paper), f 45.OO/US $ 75.00 (cloth).
One of the concerns about the quality of analytical chemists emerging from our institutions of higher education is that they are too focused on techniques and theoretical considerations. Many lack a broader appreciation of the real nature of the practice of analysis and the quality requirements of the information they produce. This deficiency is due, in part, to the lack of an introductory text which covers the ground in an easily digestible format. The present book has been written by a team from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist as part of the Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) Initiative in collaboration with ACOL. The result is a most readable text which should be required reading for all students of analytical chemistry. The authors have assumed a knowledge of chemistry to UK A-level standard and, by implication, familiarity with basic statistical concepts. Those readers lacking the latter will find the chapter on Measurement Uncertainty more difficult, but not impossible, to follow. The topics covered are: An introduction to quality assurance; Sampling; Selecting the method; Selecting the equipment and consumables; Making measurements and reporting; Measurement uncertainty; and Quality systems in chemical laboratories. Throughout the book, two effective devices are used to enable the reader to self-test their understanding as the book progresses. These are the n and SAQ conventions. Paragraphs starting with n pose short questions to the reader and have an immediate response in the succeeding paragraph. It is suggested that readers cover up this paragraph and jot down their thoughts before reading on, thereby involving them. This is an excellent means of helping the student who is studying without the aid of a tutor. The second device, SAQs, self assessment questions, is more formal and space is provided to enable the student to make notes and devise solutions within the book itself. A response from the
author of the question is given in an appendix to allow self assessment. The chapters are written as introductions to the topics and are simplified in many instances. For example, the example for laboratory proficiency testing only deals with outliers in a cursory way and does not reference the latest harmonized protocol’for collaborative trials recently published. The bibliographies provided are intended to allow the student to study more specific texts as appropriate. Perhaps they might have been more comprehensive, especially in the early chapters. The last two chapters on measurement uncertainty and quality systems for chemical laboratories are more challenging than the others. The former is a different approach to that traditionally taught and needs more careful study. However it is well worthwhile pursuing and is in line with the latest thinking on the expression of analytical data. The last chapter is a good introduction to general quality systems, particularly NAMAS, although it is disappointing that GMP has not been covered given the importance of the pharmaceutical industry. This said, however, the GLP system is discussed along with aspects of quality auditing and quality system reviews which may well be novel to many students. As the text is so readable and ‘user-friendly’, this book provides an excellent overview of how relevant, reliable and robust analytical information may be generated. Highly recommended.
C. Burgess
F. McLennan and B. Kowalski (Eds.), Process Analytical Chemistry, Blackie, London, 1995 (ISBN O7514-0038-6). xiii + 376 pp. Price f 75.00.
This is a most timely account of an area of analytical science that is poised to expand very rapidly. The value of on-line analysis is becoming increasingly recognized, as is the requirement to consider this aspect as an integral part of chemical process design. This text comprises eleven chapters, written by 20 leading practitioners from the USA and the UK. The scene is set by McLennan followed
Book Reviews
by discussions of sampling systems, physical property analysers, process chromatography, flow injection analysis, molecular spectroscopy (optical and mass), non-invasive techniques and electrochemical methods. Wise and Kowalski contribute a major chapter on process chemometrics, and there is a discussion chapter based on five examples of environmental monitoring (pollution control and prevention). The final chapter deals with future developments of chemical sensor and analyser systems. All the articles are clearly written, and well illustrated. They give a comprehensive overview of the subject, and should provide an excellent background for anyone wishing to become involved in process analytical chemistry Alan Townshend
R.P.W. Scott, Techniques and Practice of Chromatography, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1995 (ISBN o-8247-9460-5). xii + 395 pp. Price US $ 115.00. Volume 70 in the well known “Chromatographic Science Series” is by a recognized doyen of the subject. Scott’s declared aim has been to provide a text dealing with chromatography in general, to cover some, but not all, forms in detail and to provide a rationale for determining which forms are appropriate for particular problems. The text is divided into 4 parts, the first deals with the chromatographic process, detailing thermodynamic and molecular explanations of retention, causes of peak dispersion and aspects of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The other three parts concern gas, liquid and thin layer chromatography, detailing contemporary apparatus, stationary and mobile phases, detection, and typical applications. Apart from the omission of discussion of supercritical fluid chromatography, the text is a well balanced blend of theory and practice. As such it will provide readily accessible basic information on separation procedures, essential to many, as these are probably the most important techniques commonly employed in the scientific activities of both university and industry at this time. D. Thorbum
Bums
413
Marvin C. McMaster, HPLC, A Practical User’s Guide, VCH, New York (ISBN l-56081-636-8). DM 98.00.
This is a useful book for the common laboratory practice of HPLC users. I agree with the author’s comment at the beginning of the book that the HPLC operator needs to understand the system, its columns and the chemistry of the compounds to be separated. The book has three parts: Part I gives information on how to get the HPLC system running, Part II describes a very practical situation where common mistakes occur: the HPLC columns and other components, with particular emphasis on troubleshooting. Part III discusses real world applications according to the author’s point of view. This book is certainly very practical. See, for instance subheadings: How does the chromatograph work? The few tips how to keep your column in good condition are useful and I can recommend this to be followed by HPLC users. The fitting types and hardware plumbing, the description of column killers and how to solve such problems is also of great interest to users. I have particularly found pieces of interest that never were discussed in other books. For example, which HPLC equipment we need to buy. The four options given by the author, including the cost, isocratic, flexible gradient, fully automated and fully automated with state-of-the-art detectors are realistic. However I have found, in the automation process, that equipment like Prospekt (Spark, Holland) or OSP-2 (Merck, Germany) are not even mentioned as part of fully automated systems which are widely commercialized. But it is also true that such equipment is more implemented in Europe as compared to the USA. The separation guide in the appendix is not very useful and reflects the partial vision of the author. Certainly with some researching much more interesting separations and conditions could be found in the open literature. Probably a list of target compounds with UV maxima is of interest. The last part, with utilization of HPLC together with the examples given is the worst part. Although this part contains HPLCMS, and by the way, is quite well explained with all the different types of interfaces used, I would have given more emphasis to the description of powerful