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Introduction to analytical gas chromatography: History, principles and practice (Chromatographic Science Series, Vol. 14)
Journal
of Clwonrarograplzy,
2 19 ( 19s 1) 193
Elscvier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam CHROM.
Printed in The Netherlands
14,216
Book Review
Introduction to ana[vtical gas chromatography: History, primiples arld practice (Chromatographic Science Series, Vol. 14) by J. A. Perry, Marcel Dekker. New York. Basel, 1981, XX i 426 pp., price SFr. 74.00. ISBN O-8247-1537-3. Based on his long-term experience of giving an evening course in gas chromatography to working chemists having no previous training in this field, the author attempts to present the uninitiated audience (“readers thoroughly ill at ease with mathematics and electrical circuitry”) with a tool that facilitates a quick orientation and subsequently provides a deeper insight into the practice and principles of chromatography. Clarity and easy readability are prominent features throughout the text. After having read the first five chapters, the reader should already be equipped for a reasonably efficient start in practical work. It is somewhat unusual that column performance is the first of the topics dealt with; the factors causing peak broadening are discussed before the mechanisms of solute retention. Also, neither the plate nor the rate theory of the chromatographic process is presented; a price which must inevitably be paid for keeping the mathematics involved on an elementary level. Several highlights of the book should be mentioned_ The derivation of and comments on the Van Deemter equation which point out its practical consequences are very useful as is the convincing demonstration of the prevalent importance of column efficiency over solvent selectivity for complex mixtures, presented in the chapter on stationary phase characterization and selection. (There is, however, a slip here: in Table 5.2 squalane is incorrectly classified as a cycloparafhn.) An excellent review of chromatographic supports is completed with lovely micrographs of various Chromosorb types. Advanced techniques in qualitative and quantitative analysis are also presented; gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatographymass spectrometry coupling are discussed in some detail as are the problems of data processing with computers_ Each chapter is concluded by a judiciously selected list of references which the reader will find to be a very useful guide to chromatographic literature. As a whole, then, this book should prove to be a valuable aid not only for beginners but for experienced chromatographers as well. Lausanne
(Swit~erlarrd)
D. FRITZ
of Clwonrarograplzy,
2 19 ( 19s 1) 193
Elscvier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam CHROM.
Printed in The Netherlands
14,216
Book Review
Introduction to ana[vtical gas chromatography: History, primiples arld practice (Chromatographic Science Series, Vol. 14) by J. A. Perry, Marcel Dekker. New York. Basel, 1981, XX i 426 pp., price SFr. 74.00. ISBN O-8247-1537-3. Based on his long-term experience of giving an evening course in gas chromatography to working chemists having no previous training in this field, the author attempts to present the uninitiated audience (“readers thoroughly ill at ease with mathematics and electrical circuitry”) with a tool that facilitates a quick orientation and subsequently provides a deeper insight into the practice and principles of chromatography. Clarity and easy readability are prominent features throughout the text. After having read the first five chapters, the reader should already be equipped for a reasonably efficient start in practical work. It is somewhat unusual that column performance is the first of the topics dealt with; the factors causing peak broadening are discussed before the mechanisms of solute retention. Also, neither the plate nor the rate theory of the chromatographic process is presented; a price which must inevitably be paid for keeping the mathematics involved on an elementary level. Several highlights of the book should be mentioned_ The derivation of and comments on the Van Deemter equation which point out its practical consequences are very useful as is the convincing demonstration of the prevalent importance of column efficiency over solvent selectivity for complex mixtures, presented in the chapter on stationary phase characterization and selection. (There is, however, a slip here: in Table 5.2 squalane is incorrectly classified as a cycloparafhn.) An excellent review of chromatographic supports is completed with lovely micrographs of various Chromosorb types. Advanced techniques in qualitative and quantitative analysis are also presented; gas chromatography-infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatographymass spectrometry coupling are discussed in some detail as are the problems of data processing with computers_ Each chapter is concluded by a judiciously selected list of references which the reader will find to be a very useful guide to chromatographic literature. As a whole, then, this book should prove to be a valuable aid not only for beginners but for experienced chromatographers as well. Lausanne
(Swit~erlarrd)
D. FRITZ