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Chromatographic analysis of alkaloids
1202
BOOK
REVIEWS
The bulk of the book focuses on specific applications: carbohydrates, peptide sequencing, nucleic acids, and the role of mass spectrometry in pharmacology. These four chapters explain in greater detail those particular techniques applicable to each study area. The bulk of these chapters is concerned with the practical details of performing the analysis. Very detailed information is given enabling the reader to repeat the analyses and interpret the results obtained Each chapter also contains a large number of figures and references to back up the text. I feel that the book has two faults, the introductory chapter covers too much of the “nut and bolts” of mass spectrometry, and that as each chapter is written by a different author, some details about ionisation techniques are repeated in several chapters. M. E. HARRISON
ChrcanatngrapI~Ic Analysis of AIkaIoids: M. POPL,J. FAHNRICHand V. TATAR,Dekker, New York, 1990. Pages 664. S150.00 (U.S. and Canada), $180.00 (elsewhere). For anyone wishing to enter the field of alkaloid chemistry, reading this book will be a great help. It will give the reader an insight into how alkaloids are grouped (Chapter 1) as well as describing the general properties of these natural products (Chapter 2). This latter section is particularly useful as the data on basicity, solubility, dissociation constants, main chromophoric groupings, and electrochemical properties help one to appreciate the general behaviour of alkaloids. These criteria are necessary for their chromatographic properties to be assessed for selection of the best chromatographic procedure. These procedures are summarized in Chapter 3. The next three chapters outline the techniques of gas, liquid and thin-layer chromatography, respectively, with well chosen examples explaining each chromatographic method. Derivatization reactions such as acylation, alkylation and silylation, which are required to improve volatility and thetmal stability, are well covered in the chapters on gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. However, derivatization as a means of allowing the utilization of specific methods of detection, such as fluorescence, is not discussed under liquid chromatography. In the penultimate chapter-Applications,is where the “meat” of this book is located. First there are details of simple preparation-for materials from biological, plant and pharmaceutical sources-with tables summarizing preparative procedures. Then follows a sixteen-section tabulation on alkaloidal families in groupings starting with the simple, e.g., phenylethylamines, through to the complex, e.g., Strychnos, Vinca types. The dominant position of liquid chromatography, particularly reversed-phase HPLC, in the analysis of alkaloids is well exemplified. This list is comprehensive enough to allow the reader to make a rapid assessment in a selected field. The final chapter (3 pages) is very much a critique of existing methodology with some pointers as to the future, including supercritical fluid chromatography. The main index is sufficiently detailed to give rapid access to individual alkaloids and to plant genera. I would have liked each chapter to be prefaced by its own index-this would have been particularly helpful in the seventh chapter for locating areas for general perusal. Although the price is somewhat prohibitive for individual purchase, this book makes a useful contribution to natural product chemistry and is to be recommended as a work of reference on the application of chromatographic techniques. JOHNR. LEWIS
The Analytical Chemistry of SBiconea: A. L. SMITH(editor), Wiley-Interscience,
New York, 1991. Pages xxii + 551. f97.35.
This book is a recent addition to the highly successful and authoritative Wiley Chemical Analysis series, updating Analysis of Siliconesedited by A. L. Smith and published in 1974. Silicones have a wide variety of commercial uses, from adhesives and sealants to textile finishes. Not unexpectedly, all the authors included in this book are affiliated with Dow Coming, and in some ways the book may be seen as a tribute to the impressive, multidisciplinary approach to silicone analysis at the company. Like Gaul, the book is divided into three parts: a very brief introductory chapter by Smith, a series of chapters on problem-solving in silicone analysis, followed by chapters on the basic techniques: physical properties, chemical analysis, microscopy, chromatography spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, NMR, MS, atomic) and X-ray methods. Useful tables of physical properties of silicones are provided at the back of the book. While some chapters are illustrated by a disappointingly brief range of applications, others are extremely well-written (especially the chromatography, solution NMR and MS chapters). For the general reader, the microscopy chapter presents a fascinating series of images ranging from contact lenses to finger implant tissue. Essential reading for the specialist and newcomer, of course, but at nearly f 100, the non-specialist would be wise to view the book carefully before making a purchase. J. A. CRAYSTON
Mlkrhaaer Sp&raaenpy Pages 303. E22.50
of Frozen Belutiona: A. VERTEXand D. L. NAOY (editors). Akadtmiai Kiado, Budapest, 1990.
The book is concerned with the use of M&.sbauer spectroscopy to investigate structures and coordination, mainly in solutions but also in glasses. If during rapid freezing of solutions no structural changes occur, then MBssbauer spectroscopy (a solid state technique) can indeed be an excellent probe of solution structures.
BOOK
REVIEWS
The bulk of the book focuses on specific applications: carbohydrates, peptide sequencing, nucleic acids, and the role of mass spectrometry in pharmacology. These four chapters explain in greater detail those particular techniques applicable to each study area. The bulk of these chapters is concerned with the practical details of performing the analysis. Very detailed information is given enabling the reader to repeat the analyses and interpret the results obtained Each chapter also contains a large number of figures and references to back up the text. I feel that the book has two faults, the introductory chapter covers too much of the “nut and bolts” of mass spectrometry, and that as each chapter is written by a different author, some details about ionisation techniques are repeated in several chapters. M. E. HARRISON
ChrcanatngrapI~Ic Analysis of AIkaIoids: M. POPL,J. FAHNRICHand V. TATAR,Dekker, New York, 1990. Pages 664. S150.00 (U.S. and Canada), $180.00 (elsewhere). For anyone wishing to enter the field of alkaloid chemistry, reading this book will be a great help. It will give the reader an insight into how alkaloids are grouped (Chapter 1) as well as describing the general properties of these natural products (Chapter 2). This latter section is particularly useful as the data on basicity, solubility, dissociation constants, main chromophoric groupings, and electrochemical properties help one to appreciate the general behaviour of alkaloids. These criteria are necessary for their chromatographic properties to be assessed for selection of the best chromatographic procedure. These procedures are summarized in Chapter 3. The next three chapters outline the techniques of gas, liquid and thin-layer chromatography, respectively, with well chosen examples explaining each chromatographic method. Derivatization reactions such as acylation, alkylation and silylation, which are required to improve volatility and thetmal stability, are well covered in the chapters on gas chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. However, derivatization as a means of allowing the utilization of specific methods of detection, such as fluorescence, is not discussed under liquid chromatography. In the penultimate chapter-Applications,is where the “meat” of this book is located. First there are details of simple preparation-for materials from biological, plant and pharmaceutical sources-with tables summarizing preparative procedures. Then follows a sixteen-section tabulation on alkaloidal families in groupings starting with the simple, e.g., phenylethylamines, through to the complex, e.g., Strychnos, Vinca types. The dominant position of liquid chromatography, particularly reversed-phase HPLC, in the analysis of alkaloids is well exemplified. This list is comprehensive enough to allow the reader to make a rapid assessment in a selected field. The final chapter (3 pages) is very much a critique of existing methodology with some pointers as to the future, including supercritical fluid chromatography. The main index is sufficiently detailed to give rapid access to individual alkaloids and to plant genera. I would have liked each chapter to be prefaced by its own index-this would have been particularly helpful in the seventh chapter for locating areas for general perusal. Although the price is somewhat prohibitive for individual purchase, this book makes a useful contribution to natural product chemistry and is to be recommended as a work of reference on the application of chromatographic techniques. JOHNR. LEWIS
The Analytical Chemistry of SBiconea: A. L. SMITH(editor), Wiley-Interscience,
New York, 1991. Pages xxii + 551. f97.35.
This book is a recent addition to the highly successful and authoritative Wiley Chemical Analysis series, updating Analysis of Siliconesedited by A. L. Smith and published in 1974. Silicones have a wide variety of commercial uses, from adhesives and sealants to textile finishes. Not unexpectedly, all the authors included in this book are affiliated with Dow Coming, and in some ways the book may be seen as a tribute to the impressive, multidisciplinary approach to silicone analysis at the company. Like Gaul, the book is divided into three parts: a very brief introductory chapter by Smith, a series of chapters on problem-solving in silicone analysis, followed by chapters on the basic techniques: physical properties, chemical analysis, microscopy, chromatography spectroscopy (IR, UV-Vis, NMR, MS, atomic) and X-ray methods. Useful tables of physical properties of silicones are provided at the back of the book. While some chapters are illustrated by a disappointingly brief range of applications, others are extremely well-written (especially the chromatography, solution NMR and MS chapters). For the general reader, the microscopy chapter presents a fascinating series of images ranging from contact lenses to finger implant tissue. Essential reading for the specialist and newcomer, of course, but at nearly f 100, the non-specialist would be wise to view the book carefully before making a purchase. J. A. CRAYSTON
Mlkrhaaer Sp&raaenpy Pages 303. E22.50
of Frozen Belutiona: A. VERTEXand D. L. NAOY (editors). Akadtmiai Kiado, Budapest, 1990.
The book is concerned with the use of M&.sbauer spectroscopy to investigate structures and coordination, mainly in solutions but also in glasses. If during rapid freezing of solutions no structural changes occur, then MBssbauer spectroscopy (a solid state technique) can indeed be an excellent probe of solution structures.