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Flow injection 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.
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.