Books Application of Microcomputers Microprocessor Systems Handbook. D. P. Burton and A. L. Dexter, xix + 194 pages. Analog Devices Inc., P.O. Box 796, Norwood, Mass. 02062. 1977. $9.50 Reviewed by Raymond E. Dessy, Dept. of Chemistry, Virginia Poly technic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Va. 24061 For those undertaking t h e applica tion of microprocessors a n d micro computers to laboratory tasks, this volume represents the most satisfacto ry in-depth introduction available to date. Completely lacking in commercial bias, it presents the architecture and function of small CPU's. It clearly de lineates memory types (both RAM and ROM) and the programmed transfers or direct memory access methods used to place data in memo ry. T h e section on converters is, as ex pected, clearly and concisely written. Finally, the use of examples to illus trate the material presented in the first sections of t h e book is both re freshing and well done. T h e book scans easily and rapidly. At its conclusion, the reader will be aware of the trade-offs in different computer architectures, be able to read vendor literature, and make in telligent decisions concerning both purchase and development. As a textbook for both formal and self-paced studies it has no peer, and the price is remarkable. Chemical Analysis of Additives in Plastics. 2nd Ed. T. R. Crompton. xii + 366 pages. Pergamon Press, Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, N.Y. 10523. 1977. $27.50 Reviewed by Robert A. Hively, Ana lytical Chemistry Section, Research Division, The Goodyear Tire & Rub ber Co., Akron, Ohio 44316 T h e author indicates t h a t the book is designed as a practical laboratory text for those who manufacture and use plastics, and for those in research institutions and universities who are interested in impurities in polymers. A second goal is to bring together the scattered literature on the character ization, identification, and determina tion of additives in plastics. T h e book has 366 pages and 620 lit erature references compared to 162 and 330, respectively, in the first edi tion. Significantly enlarged or new
areas are fluorescence a n d phospho rescence of antioxidants; "diorganosulfide and tertiary phosphite antioxi dants"; determination of organometallic stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride; thin-layer chromatography of antioxi dants, accelerators, and plasticizers; characterization and determination of phenolic antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, and plasticizers by gas chromatography; and determination of monomers and other volatiles in polymers by head space analysis using gas chromatography. Polymer additives t h a t are treated include antioxidants, ultraviolet stabi lizers, antiozonants, accelerators, opti cal brighteners, plasticizers, vulcaniz ing agents, heat stabilizers, and blow ing agents. Information on surfactants is noticeably absent, perhaps because the literature is very sparse on the iso lation and identification of this group of chemicals used in films. Neither is the subject of solvent residues dis cussed in very great detail. Techniques discussed include clas sical; thin-layer, gas, liquid, and gel permeation chromatography; head space analysis; mass and nuclear mag netic resonance spectrometry; and flu orescence, phosphorescence, infrared, and ultraviolet spectrophotometry. T h e author relies upon thin-layer chromatography and infrared spectro photometry much more than is usual in this country, and he uses gas chro matography and mass spectrometry much less. Most of the instruments mentioned were made by British or European manufacturers. T h e printing, smaller and inferior to the first edition, makes it less read able. I t is a reproduction of the au thor's typed script and contains typ ing errors, strikeovers, and skipped spaces. Substitution of the word polymers for plastics in t h e title would be more definitive. However, the principal problem is the organization of the ma terial. Most of the new information in the second edition was added to t h a t of the first rather than integrated with it. One can easily be confused by a b r u p t changes in topics since some are introduced by headings and others are not. Also, a recommended proce dure would be helpful where several approaches are mentioned. Some errors include reversed expla nations in Figures 162 and 163. P a r t of the text on page 269 is included in
Table 79. T h e author considers Ionol and butylated hydroxytoluene as dif ferent compounds on page 36 and later suggests t h a t they are the same. Reference 331 is missing. This is a practical book with many methods given in sufficient detail to preclude the need for the original ref erence. It will be most useful to work ers new to the field of polymer addi tive analysis, b u t veterans will un doubtedly find areas of interest also. T h e goal of a literature review is fairly complete through 1973, b u t more re cent references are few. pH Measurements. C. Clark Westcott. χ + 172 pages. Academic Press Inc., 111 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10003. 1978. $16 Reviewed by Rabindra N. Roy, Dept. of Chemistry, Drury College, Spring field, Mo. 65802 This book is intended primarily for utilization by persons involved in tak ing pH measurements on a routine basis. T h e book was reviewed for use (1) as a reference book for the profes sional analytical chemist, and (2) the student who desires a primer for back ground pH information. T h e chapters dealing with pH measurement tech nique (chapter 5), applications (chap ter 6), and troubleshooting (chapter 7) meet the latter requirement b u t are far too brief and incomplete for a ref erence book. T h e sections concerned with electrodes (chapter 3) and stan dard solutions (chapter 4) are ade quate for one who is just entering the field of pH measurements, but, in practice, the professional analytical chemist would need much more infor mation to effectively conduct analyses using a pH meter and buffer solutions. The chapters describing the principles of pH measurements (chapter 1) and the characteristics of the p H meter it self (chapter 2) were found inadequate for either purpose. T h e major defi ciencies in these two sections follow. Many references t h a t should be cited are not, and many cited are outof-date. For example, there are too few references given at the end of chapter 1 (only three), and two of these are dated 1958 and 1963. Similar dates appear on other references. Hence, one can assume that the information contained therein is obsolete, and was superseded years ago by newer infor mation that has been available in the literature for some time.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 50, NO. 12, OCTOBER 1978 · 1135 A
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1979-80 PI8RGB CONTENTS INCLUl • Clinical Reagents • Laboratory Aids • Gas Chromatography Accessories • Thin Layer Chromatography • Liquid Chromatography • Derivatization Procedures • Amino Acid Analysis • Sequence Determination • Protein Modification • Peptide Synthesis > Controlled Pore Glass • Many Unique New Produc Pierce Eurochemie B.V.Netherlands*Pierce&Warriner United Kingdom · Lab Supply Pierce N.Z. New Zealand
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VACUUM SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY Λ iour and a half day basic Vacuum Technology course and eleven specialized courses will be offered in conjunction with the 25th NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND VACUUM SHOW OF THE AMERICAN VACUUM SOCIETY, which will be held at the Fair mont Hotel In San Francisco, California, on November 27-December 1, 1978. These courses are Intended for anyone working with, or interested i n , vacu um science and technology, including s c i e n t i s t s and engineers, laboratory technicians, production equipment operators, maintenance personnel and stu dents. All courses will be taught by well qualified, experienced instructors.
Some of the information on the principles underlying the concept of pH is incomplete or unclear. As an ex ample, the statement is made in chap ter 1 that "the observed potential from the glass electrode varies in a known manner, the Nernst equation", which is intended to mean "the ob served potential of the glass electrode varies in a known manner, which is given by the Nernst equation". Poor syntax may be responsible for some of the incorrect material, but the fact remains t h a t any standard textbook of either general chemistry or quanti tative analysis contains much more in formation describing the basis on which p H principles were founded. If the information itself was not deemed necessary for inclusion in this book, it should at least have been cited as a further source in the bibliography. T h e author's greater familiarity with the routine aspects of p H mea surements appears to have unfairly bi ased him against the application of this method in analytical techniques involving difficult applications. T h u s , the book seems to be more useful in everyday operation of pH meters in volving simple systems, but totally in adequate in dealing with those of greater complexity, even though the publisher's description of the book in cludes "the use of proper technique in difficult applications". T h e editing of the book is fair, al though there are numerous typo graphical errors. Many instances of poor sentence construction (e.g., "the temperature coefficient of the glass electrode is normally designed to match the calomel reference electrode temperature coefficient to the isopotential point, for either electrode is approximately the same") are noted throughout.
The basic course, "VACUUM TECHNOLOGY", will cover vacuum technology from fundamental theory through s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t concepts. The specialized courses will itart from basics and cover theory, equipment, and applications. The course ι to be offered will be for either one or two days and will include: SPUTTERING PARTIAL PRESSURE ANALYSIS LEAK DETECTION MICROCIRCUIT THIN FILM TECHNOLOGY SURFACE ANALYSIS (Two Days) FUNDAMENTALS OF EVAPORATION METHODS FREEZE DRYING APPLIED THIN FILM OPTICS CONTAMINATION CONTROL MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THIN FILMS CRYOPUMPING A special feature for all course participants will be an exhibitor's Pro gram. Special demonstrations and discussions of specific Vacuum Show exhi b i t o r ' s equipment of interest to course attendees will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 1978 from 3:30AM to 10:00AM at the s i t e of the Vacuum Show in the Fairmont Hotel atop Nob H i l l , San Francisco, California. Uoursa outlines and application forms nay bo obtained from Nancy Hammond, Executive Secretary, Ajuerican Vacuum Society, Station H, 335 East 45th Street, New York, New York 11017. [••or Further Information, call Nancy Hammond at (212) 661-9404. Applications can be confirmed by phone and space will be held for 10 days. Applications and fees must be received by November 20, 1978.
CIRCLE 2 ON READER SERVICE CARD 1136 A ·
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 50, NO. 12, OCTOBER
1978
The Mass Spectrometer. J. R. Majer. xii + 1 5 9 pages. Crane, Russak & Co. Inc., 347 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1978. $16.95 Reviewed by Charles L. Wilkins, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Ne braska, Lincoln, Neb. 68508 As the preface states, "This book is an attempt to give an account of the development and applications of the modern mass spectrometer." It is a carefully and well-produced member of a series intended for students at the beginning undergraduate level. In a total of six chapters and 147 pages, the principles of mass spectrometry and its application to chemistry, biochem istry, geology, medicine, and space are dealt with. One might well expect
Books that, given the ambitious scope and unusual brevity, the treatment would necessarily be superficial. This admis sion is made by the author at the out set, and he suggests one of his goals is to persuade the reader to examine some of the four specialist books in cluded in a one-page list entitled " F u r t h e r Reading". Curiously, two of the four were published 10 years ago, and the others in 1973 and 1976. There seems to be no particular guid ing rationale in the selection offered. There is no question t h a t the goal of superficiality has been achieved. Unfortunately, the more important objective of giving an account of the development of modern mass spec trometry has not been accomplished (unless " m o d e r n " is defined for the present purpose as through the mid1970's). T h e extensive and exciting developments since that time are es sentially ignored. For example, the topics of chemical ionization, field ion ization, and ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry are each allotted approximately one paragraph. Much of the second chapter, which is devoted to applications in organic and biochemistry, discusses the topics
of volatility (1 page), energetics of ion ization (3 pages), determination of ap pearance potentials (3.5 pages), and ms-chromatography combinations (7 pages). T h e remainder of the chapter is devoted to an elementary discussion of mass spectrum interpretation. Chapters 3 and 4 consider mass spectrometry applications in inorganic and physical chemistry and comprise about one-third of the book. Chapter 5, " F u r t h e r Applications", devotes most of its brief space to discussion of how isotopic abundances can be used for various purposes, such as dat ing and labeling. The final chapter (10 pages) suggests t h a t current trends in mass spectrometry are to employ labo ratory computers more and to attempt to extend mass spectrometric sensitiv ity, range, and resolution. There is es sentially no discussion of any of the major advances of the past 10 years; therefore, this chapter is probably the least useful in the book. Ten years ago, and at one fourth the price, it might have been possible to recommend " T h e Mass Spectrometer" as a useful text at the freshman chem istry level. Today, at $16.50, the antic ipated cost benefit ratio is such t h a t
I cannot honestly recommend t h a t anyone purchase this book. Perhaps the paperback edition (which is said to be available) is enough less expen sive t h a t it might be worth consider ation by individuals interested in only the general, superficial, and relatively dated t r e a t m e n t presented. From my point of view, " T h e Mass Spectrome ter" is certainly far less useful as an introduction to the topic than Schrader's 1971 paperback ("Introductory Mass Spectrometry", Allyn and Bacon) and is certainly not much more up-to-date.
New Books Handbook of Derivatives for Chroma tography. Karl Blau and Graham King, Eds. xvi + 576 pages. Heyden & Son Inc., 247 South 41st St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104. 1977. $48
This handbook offers guidance on selection of derivatives and compares strategies of derivatization of common classes of compounds such as amino acids, steroids, and carbohydrates. Al ternative derivatization schemes, in-
A "down-under" approach to low volume syringes. If you need to accurately inject very small samples of gas or liquid, and you must have the best available, then we believe the SGE Type Β (Plunger in Needle) syringes will meet your need. They are available in 0.5 μΙ (have you ever seen a smaller syringe?) 1 μΙ and 5 μΙ capacities. A fine wire plunger extends right through to the tip of the needle and the sample is completely contained in, and expelled from, the needle. Dead volume is eliminated. The unique combination of plungers irotected by a strong sheath and guide-tube us reinforced needles make the SGE Type Β syringes remarkably strong. Ideal for use with capillary column systems, these syringes are also suitable, when fitted with an adaptor, for injection against high pressures (10000 p.s.i 600 atmos.) Please write for our "Precision Microlitre Syringe" catalogue. ι
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ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 50, NO. 12, OCTOBER
1978
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