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Atomic spectroscopy
BOOKREVIEWS Chid Separathm by HPLC-Applicrtio~ Chichester, 1989. Pages 548. E78.45.
813
to Flmrmaceuticd Compounds A. M. KRsTuLovrC (editor), Ellis Horwood,
This book fully achieves the aim set out by the editor in the preface, namely to present the state of the art in chiral HPLC separations. The editor is to be complimented on achieving a consistently high standard of content and presentation from many different international experts. Part I consists of four chapters dealing with chirality in nature, the unacceptability of data on racemates, enzymes, and enantiomer separation by crystallization. To some extent, Part I is remote from the main thrust of the book but Chapters 2 and 3 do serve to point out forcefully (and accurately) the limitations of drug investigations which ignore the existence of cbirality. Part II covers, in three chapters, the main types of mobile phase additives; metal ions, chiral counter-ions; and the cyclodextrins. Part III forms the majority of the volume and begins with two chapters which give an introduction to the use of chromatography for chiral separations, and some pharmacokinetic and metabolism applications. Subsequent chapters deal with the diverse types of chiral stationary phases in current use. All of the chapters in Parts I and II incorporate good coverage of the principles of interaction and examples of separations achieved. The content of the book as a whole is broad enough to provide the reader with a useful overview. Each chapter, however, is sufhciently detailed anbd well enough referenced to be useful to chromatographers practically engaged in chiral separation and analysis. R. B. TAYLQR
Flow Injection Atomic Spectwcopy: J. L. BURGUERA (editor), Dekker, New York, 1989. Pages xii + 353. S.125(U.S.A. and Canada), 8150 (elsewhere). The development of flow injection analysis (FIA) has seen probably the most remarkable increase in research activity, as evidenced by publications, of any of the recent advances in instrumental analytical chemistry. This text breaks new ground in that it is the first on FIA to deal with a specific aspect, FIA as a sample introduction system for atomic spectrometry. The various aspects of the subject are covered, including theoretical aspects, instrumentation, applications and current trends. There are a large number of contributors, which leads to a certain amount of repetition and even conflicting view-points so the book is stimulating in this regard. It is thus not a text book presenting material in a logical sequence of steps but rather it sets out to serve both as a practical handbook on experimental aspects and also to bring the reader up to date with recent developments. It certainly succeeds with the latter objective, being a most comprehensive account of the state of the subject. I would criticize the book in that FIA is essentially a practical subject and more information could have been given on building systems from standard laboratory components. Much is left vague, requiring consultation with the literature to investigate whether any more detailed experimental information is available, particularly with regard to the flow-injection-spectrometer interface. In this regard the book is insuthcient to let experimenters see for themselves the potential of such systems prior to purchasing commercial equipment. This book will be of most use to those analytical chemists who need to be rapidly acquainted with potential applications of FIA-atomic spectrometry or those who are already users and wish to extend the application to new samples. A. R. MGRRJSSON
Atomic Spectrascopy: J. W. ROBINXIN,Dekker, New York, 1990. Pages vi + 299. $55.00 (on orders of 5 or more copies, for classroom use only). $99.75 (U.S.A. and Canada). Sll9.50 (all other countries). There are some good points about this book, but overall I was disappointed by Professor Robinson’s introductory text on atomic spectroscopy. Chapter 1 provides a brief but comprehensive background to the subject with useful sections on atomic structure and atomic spectra. Those new to the subject (e.g., undergraduates) will find the comments on significant figures, reliability of results and sampling of particular interest. Chapter 2 is devoted to atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS). The basics of AAS instrumentation are described, but there is little information on atomization and interference. mechanisms in both flame and electrothermal atomization (ETA). Indeed, of the fourteen pages on ETA, only two pages describe modern developments. Unfortunately, Chapter 2 is dated in many respects. Most commercial AAS instruments only permit operation with premixed air/acetylene and nitrous oxide/acetylene flames, so details about total consumption burners and the use of air/hydrogen or air/coal gas flames are unnecessary. Contrary to the author’s comments, oxy-acetylene and oxy-hydrogen flames are not routinely used in AAS. Chapter 3 covers the basics of atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) and gives balanced comments on the advantages and limitations of the technique. Unfortunately, little information is given about the main commercial AFS system, which uses an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) as the atomizer. Also, there is no mention of the benefits of laser AFS with an electrothermal atomizer. I am not sure why a separate chapter was devoted to ilame atomic-emission spectrometry (FAES), or Flame Photometry as Chapter 4 is titled, as few analysts now use this technique. I suppose the table of FAES wavelengths will be useful to some readers who may perform occasional analyses by FAES, with commercial FAAS instruments.
BOOKREVIEWS
814
Chapter 5 provides an introduction to arc and spark atomic~~~ion spectrometry. The latter technique is still widely used in the rnet~l~~~l industry, but arc AES is rarely used in modern laboratories. The chapter has an inst~men~i bias and is of historical interest. The tables of arc and spark detection limits provide a good basis for comparison of the techniques. Chapter 6 describes the newer developments in emission spectrometry, with emphasis on inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and direct current plasma (DCP) sources. The instrumentation required for both techniques is discussed but the fundamental processes of plasma spectroscopy are not covered in any detail. A few pages on ICP-mass spectrometry are included at the end of the chapter. At the reduced bulk purchase price, this book may be an attractive introductory text for undergraduate courses on atomic spectrometry, but it would need to be supplemented by more detailed information on recent developments if such a course was to be truly up-to-date. Its most useful features are the tables of wavelengths for AAS, AFS and AES, the comparative data on detection limits and the information on instrumental systems. However, at the full-cost price, I suspect that the book will not be considered great value by analytical chemists looking for a fundamental text or an up-to-date reference text on analytical methodology.
Che~Application~
of Mathematicsand Statistics to LaboratorySystems: R. G. BRERETON, Ellis Horwood,
Chichester, 1990. Pages 307. E45.00. Chemometrics (the design and analysis of laboratory experiments) is of undoubted importance-it does not need much more than a brief scan through the scientific literature to see how poorly many experiments are planned, and how inadequately their data are processed. In many ways the wide availability of the laboratory microcomputer-controlled experiment makes the need for a good understanding of design even more important, yet it is scarcely even mentioned at undergraduate level. Richard Brereton’s book will help: it gives good explanations, is readily understood with a minimum of mathematics and covers a wide range of topics. It is very much a “how to do it” publication, although necessarily within the confines of 307 pages the detail may not always be sufficient to enable readers to carry out such procedures for themselves without further info~tion. However, the background obtained from this book will be invaluable when moving to more advanced references. The topics include factorial design, principal component analysis, univariate and multiva~ate analysis, and pattern recognition. Interestingly, the maximum entropy method is included with an example involving NMR spectroscopy. I have one criticism. In its natural handling of prior knowledge and its modification through experiment, Bayesian statistics is the obvious way to proceed in chemometrics rather than use of classical, frequential statistics. Throughout the book the author uses the language of Bayesian statistics; his approach is also Bayesian. Why then is his mathematical formalism based on classical approaches with not even a mention of the Bayes theorem? Nonetheless, this is a book to be welcomed-I know I shall be using it. C.J. GILMORE
813
to Flmrmaceuticd Compounds A. M. KRsTuLovrC (editor), Ellis Horwood,
This book fully achieves the aim set out by the editor in the preface, namely to present the state of the art in chiral HPLC separations. The editor is to be complimented on achieving a consistently high standard of content and presentation from many different international experts. Part I consists of four chapters dealing with chirality in nature, the unacceptability of data on racemates, enzymes, and enantiomer separation by crystallization. To some extent, Part I is remote from the main thrust of the book but Chapters 2 and 3 do serve to point out forcefully (and accurately) the limitations of drug investigations which ignore the existence of cbirality. Part II covers, in three chapters, the main types of mobile phase additives; metal ions, chiral counter-ions; and the cyclodextrins. Part III forms the majority of the volume and begins with two chapters which give an introduction to the use of chromatography for chiral separations, and some pharmacokinetic and metabolism applications. Subsequent chapters deal with the diverse types of chiral stationary phases in current use. All of the chapters in Parts I and II incorporate good coverage of the principles of interaction and examples of separations achieved. The content of the book as a whole is broad enough to provide the reader with a useful overview. Each chapter, however, is sufhciently detailed anbd well enough referenced to be useful to chromatographers practically engaged in chiral separation and analysis. R. B. TAYLQR
Flow Injection Atomic Spectwcopy: J. L. BURGUERA (editor), Dekker, New York, 1989. Pages xii + 353. S.125(U.S.A. and Canada), 8150 (elsewhere). The development of flow injection analysis (FIA) has seen probably the most remarkable increase in research activity, as evidenced by publications, of any of the recent advances in instrumental analytical chemistry. This text breaks new ground in that it is the first on FIA to deal with a specific aspect, FIA as a sample introduction system for atomic spectrometry. The various aspects of the subject are covered, including theoretical aspects, instrumentation, applications and current trends. There are a large number of contributors, which leads to a certain amount of repetition and even conflicting view-points so the book is stimulating in this regard. It is thus not a text book presenting material in a logical sequence of steps but rather it sets out to serve both as a practical handbook on experimental aspects and also to bring the reader up to date with recent developments. It certainly succeeds with the latter objective, being a most comprehensive account of the state of the subject. I would criticize the book in that FIA is essentially a practical subject and more information could have been given on building systems from standard laboratory components. Much is left vague, requiring consultation with the literature to investigate whether any more detailed experimental information is available, particularly with regard to the flow-injection-spectrometer interface. In this regard the book is insuthcient to let experimenters see for themselves the potential of such systems prior to purchasing commercial equipment. This book will be of most use to those analytical chemists who need to be rapidly acquainted with potential applications of FIA-atomic spectrometry or those who are already users and wish to extend the application to new samples. A. R. MGRRJSSON
Atomic Spectrascopy: J. W. ROBINXIN,Dekker, New York, 1990. Pages vi + 299. $55.00 (on orders of 5 or more copies, for classroom use only). $99.75 (U.S.A. and Canada). Sll9.50 (all other countries). There are some good points about this book, but overall I was disappointed by Professor Robinson’s introductory text on atomic spectroscopy. Chapter 1 provides a brief but comprehensive background to the subject with useful sections on atomic structure and atomic spectra. Those new to the subject (e.g., undergraduates) will find the comments on significant figures, reliability of results and sampling of particular interest. Chapter 2 is devoted to atomic-absorption spectrometry (AAS). The basics of AAS instrumentation are described, but there is little information on atomization and interference. mechanisms in both flame and electrothermal atomization (ETA). Indeed, of the fourteen pages on ETA, only two pages describe modern developments. Unfortunately, Chapter 2 is dated in many respects. Most commercial AAS instruments only permit operation with premixed air/acetylene and nitrous oxide/acetylene flames, so details about total consumption burners and the use of air/hydrogen or air/coal gas flames are unnecessary. Contrary to the author’s comments, oxy-acetylene and oxy-hydrogen flames are not routinely used in AAS. Chapter 3 covers the basics of atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) and gives balanced comments on the advantages and limitations of the technique. Unfortunately, little information is given about the main commercial AFS system, which uses an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) as the atomizer. Also, there is no mention of the benefits of laser AFS with an electrothermal atomizer. I am not sure why a separate chapter was devoted to ilame atomic-emission spectrometry (FAES), or Flame Photometry as Chapter 4 is titled, as few analysts now use this technique. I suppose the table of FAES wavelengths will be useful to some readers who may perform occasional analyses by FAES, with commercial FAAS instruments.
BOOKREVIEWS
814
Chapter 5 provides an introduction to arc and spark atomic~~~ion spectrometry. The latter technique is still widely used in the rnet~l~~~l industry, but arc AES is rarely used in modern laboratories. The chapter has an inst~men~i bias and is of historical interest. The tables of arc and spark detection limits provide a good basis for comparison of the techniques. Chapter 6 describes the newer developments in emission spectrometry, with emphasis on inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and direct current plasma (DCP) sources. The instrumentation required for both techniques is discussed but the fundamental processes of plasma spectroscopy are not covered in any detail. A few pages on ICP-mass spectrometry are included at the end of the chapter. At the reduced bulk purchase price, this book may be an attractive introductory text for undergraduate courses on atomic spectrometry, but it would need to be supplemented by more detailed information on recent developments if such a course was to be truly up-to-date. Its most useful features are the tables of wavelengths for AAS, AFS and AES, the comparative data on detection limits and the information on instrumental systems. However, at the full-cost price, I suspect that the book will not be considered great value by analytical chemists looking for a fundamental text or an up-to-date reference text on analytical methodology.
Che~Application~
of Mathematicsand Statistics to LaboratorySystems: R. G. BRERETON, Ellis Horwood,
Chichester, 1990. Pages 307. E45.00. Chemometrics (the design and analysis of laboratory experiments) is of undoubted importance-it does not need much more than a brief scan through the scientific literature to see how poorly many experiments are planned, and how inadequately their data are processed. In many ways the wide availability of the laboratory microcomputer-controlled experiment makes the need for a good understanding of design even more important, yet it is scarcely even mentioned at undergraduate level. Richard Brereton’s book will help: it gives good explanations, is readily understood with a minimum of mathematics and covers a wide range of topics. It is very much a “how to do it” publication, although necessarily within the confines of 307 pages the detail may not always be sufficient to enable readers to carry out such procedures for themselves without further info~tion. However, the background obtained from this book will be invaluable when moving to more advanced references. The topics include factorial design, principal component analysis, univariate and multiva~ate analysis, and pattern recognition. Interestingly, the maximum entropy method is included with an example involving NMR spectroscopy. I have one criticism. In its natural handling of prior knowledge and its modification through experiment, Bayesian statistics is the obvious way to proceed in chemometrics rather than use of classical, frequential statistics. Throughout the book the author uses the language of Bayesian statistics; his approach is also Bayesian. Why then is his mathematical formalism based on classical approaches with not even a mention of the Bayes theorem? Nonetheless, this is a book to be welcomed-I know I shall be using it. C.J. GILMORE