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Qualitative organic analysis, spectrochemical techniques, 2nd edn.
365
P. W. J. M. Boumans (Ed.), Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy, Part 1: Methodology, Instrumentation and Performance. Horwood, Chichester, 1987 (ISBN o-471-09686-5). xi + 584 pp. Price $71.75. Although this book is edited by Dr. Boumans his actual contribution to the text is very significant as he authors or co-authors seven of the nine chapters. The style of the text is tutorial with respect to the theory and concepts of ICP/AES. However a good deal of relevant literature has been critically reviewed also. All nine chapters are easy to read and each of the topics discussed is essential for a complete and detailed coverage of the subject. The first three chapters provide a sound introduction which includes the theory of atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), qualitative and quantitative analysis using AES, sample introduction, a literature guide, alternative plasmas, historical development, performance of ICP/AES, plus the utilization of the ICP for atomic fluorescence and mass spectrometry. Throughout the book the reader is directed to the extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter in order to obtain a more in-depth discussion on a particular point. The literature guide in Chapter 1 and the review of reviews in Chapter 3 are especially useful for those embarking on ICP/AES for the first time. In Chapter 4, “Basic Concepts and Characteristics”, Dr. Boumans tackles those areas of ICP/AES which are most fervently argued about, i.e., the figures of merit. An introductory section on line selection and spectral interference is also given and this provides the basis for the detailed discussion in Chapter 7. An excellent theoretical and practical treatment of the much debated area of detection limits is presented which is well supported by tabulated ICP/AES detection limits obtained by various workers under different instrumental parameters. Chapters 5, 6, 8 and 9 are concerned with torches, sample introduction, spectrometers and detection systems. The book does have some weak points. Some topics such as internal standardization and the use of slurry nebulization are out of date. The major drawback is the expense. As just the first part, it is far too expensive for the average research student or scientist. Neil W. Barnett
William Kemp, Qualitative Organic Analysis, Spectrochemical Techniques, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, London, 1986 (ISBN o-07-084158-6). xv + 197 pp. Price $8.95. In the first edition (1970) of this popular undergraduate text, Dr. Kemp undertook the extraordinarily difficult task of producing a laboratory manual for the systematic identification of organic compounds of varying degrees of complexity, in which the classical chemical methods were used side-by-side with modern spectroscopic techniques. In the new edition the essential format of the book is unchanged. Minor changes have been made to the
366
chapter on the separation of mixtures and to the tables of data. The major modification is the inclusion of a new half-chapter on the uses of 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy. As in the first edition, i.r. spectroscopy has been incorporated throughout the text, and the reader is referred to later chapters for relevant u.v., n.m.r., and mass spectral data. In this day and age it seems a pity that ‘H n.m.r. techniques are not used routinely, but it is appreciated that such a change would necessarily produce a more cluttered and less readable text. The author stresses that “black box” techniques cannot entirely replace classical chemical tests, though one wonders whether the “smoky flame” test or soda lime fusions have any real place in modern analysis! In a similar vein, bromine and chlorine are detected by the sodium fusion test, with no cross reference to the mass spectrometry chapter. Despite these minor criticisms, the author has done a good job; his easy-to-read book will be appreciated by both student and teacher alike. R. M. Scrowston Glenn I. Ouchi, Personal Computers for Scientists. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1986 (ISBN O-8412-1000-4 clothbound or -1000-2 paperbound). x + 250 pp. Price $41.95 (clothbound), $27.95 (paperbound). This book gives an introduction to the use of the personal computer (PC) for scientists who have little or no previous experience with computers. The first section, comprising about 30% of the total text, is concerned with the basic concepts of the PC. It gives a short description of various hardware components and operating systems. The topics are not treated in depth, but enough information is given to allow the reader to understand which parts and modules are used when application software is run. Furthermore, this first part serves as an excellent introduction to the relevant terminology. The second section (about 50%) is devoted to application software. The main topics are word processing, spread-sheets, graphics, and data base management. Well chosen and extensively commented examples from the field of chemistry are used to demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of the respective application programs. The last section deals with remote communication and interfacing. The author uses an uncomplicated language, which helps to make the book easy to read and understand for readers not so fluent in English. Lengthy discussions of technical details are avoided. Emphasis is placed rather on topics relevant to those users who want to use their PC as a tool without bothering too much on what is going or. inside the “black box”. Thus, the reader should not expect to become an expert on the PC. However, he gets all the information required to become an efficient and well informed user of standard application programs. J. T. Clerc
P. W. J. M. Boumans (Ed.), Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectroscopy, Part 1: Methodology, Instrumentation and Performance. Horwood, Chichester, 1987 (ISBN o-471-09686-5). xi + 584 pp. Price $71.75. Although this book is edited by Dr. Boumans his actual contribution to the text is very significant as he authors or co-authors seven of the nine chapters. The style of the text is tutorial with respect to the theory and concepts of ICP/AES. However a good deal of relevant literature has been critically reviewed also. All nine chapters are easy to read and each of the topics discussed is essential for a complete and detailed coverage of the subject. The first three chapters provide a sound introduction which includes the theory of atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), qualitative and quantitative analysis using AES, sample introduction, a literature guide, alternative plasmas, historical development, performance of ICP/AES, plus the utilization of the ICP for atomic fluorescence and mass spectrometry. Throughout the book the reader is directed to the extensive bibliography at the end of each chapter in order to obtain a more in-depth discussion on a particular point. The literature guide in Chapter 1 and the review of reviews in Chapter 3 are especially useful for those embarking on ICP/AES for the first time. In Chapter 4, “Basic Concepts and Characteristics”, Dr. Boumans tackles those areas of ICP/AES which are most fervently argued about, i.e., the figures of merit. An introductory section on line selection and spectral interference is also given and this provides the basis for the detailed discussion in Chapter 7. An excellent theoretical and practical treatment of the much debated area of detection limits is presented which is well supported by tabulated ICP/AES detection limits obtained by various workers under different instrumental parameters. Chapters 5, 6, 8 and 9 are concerned with torches, sample introduction, spectrometers and detection systems. The book does have some weak points. Some topics such as internal standardization and the use of slurry nebulization are out of date. The major drawback is the expense. As just the first part, it is far too expensive for the average research student or scientist. Neil W. Barnett
William Kemp, Qualitative Organic Analysis, Spectrochemical Techniques, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill, London, 1986 (ISBN o-07-084158-6). xv + 197 pp. Price $8.95. In the first edition (1970) of this popular undergraduate text, Dr. Kemp undertook the extraordinarily difficult task of producing a laboratory manual for the systematic identification of organic compounds of varying degrees of complexity, in which the classical chemical methods were used side-by-side with modern spectroscopic techniques. In the new edition the essential format of the book is unchanged. Minor changes have been made to the
366
chapter on the separation of mixtures and to the tables of data. The major modification is the inclusion of a new half-chapter on the uses of 13C n.m.r. spectroscopy. As in the first edition, i.r. spectroscopy has been incorporated throughout the text, and the reader is referred to later chapters for relevant u.v., n.m.r., and mass spectral data. In this day and age it seems a pity that ‘H n.m.r. techniques are not used routinely, but it is appreciated that such a change would necessarily produce a more cluttered and less readable text. The author stresses that “black box” techniques cannot entirely replace classical chemical tests, though one wonders whether the “smoky flame” test or soda lime fusions have any real place in modern analysis! In a similar vein, bromine and chlorine are detected by the sodium fusion test, with no cross reference to the mass spectrometry chapter. Despite these minor criticisms, the author has done a good job; his easy-to-read book will be appreciated by both student and teacher alike. R. M. Scrowston Glenn I. Ouchi, Personal Computers for Scientists. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, 1986 (ISBN O-8412-1000-4 clothbound or -1000-2 paperbound). x + 250 pp. Price $41.95 (clothbound), $27.95 (paperbound). This book gives an introduction to the use of the personal computer (PC) for scientists who have little or no previous experience with computers. The first section, comprising about 30% of the total text, is concerned with the basic concepts of the PC. It gives a short description of various hardware components and operating systems. The topics are not treated in depth, but enough information is given to allow the reader to understand which parts and modules are used when application software is run. Furthermore, this first part serves as an excellent introduction to the relevant terminology. The second section (about 50%) is devoted to application software. The main topics are word processing, spread-sheets, graphics, and data base management. Well chosen and extensively commented examples from the field of chemistry are used to demonstrate the possibilities and limitations of the respective application programs. The last section deals with remote communication and interfacing. The author uses an uncomplicated language, which helps to make the book easy to read and understand for readers not so fluent in English. Lengthy discussions of technical details are avoided. Emphasis is placed rather on topics relevant to those users who want to use their PC as a tool without bothering too much on what is going or. inside the “black box”. Thus, the reader should not expect to become an expert on the PC. However, he gets all the information required to become an efficient and well informed user of standard application programs. J. T. Clerc