of the journal was chosen, we considered simply the title "Analysis," vvhiÊK is broad enough but hardly suitable as a publication title. Our readers maj- have some thoughts on the subject which could help direct our thinking for the future. He writes as follows:
NITROGEN
2,4-XYLENOL
METHANE
The editorial in the September 1955
OXYGEN
issue of ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY discusses
the problem of defining the field covered by the journal in such a way as to include the many physical methods of analysis in use today. As Dr. Bacharach has pointed out, it is possible to continue as we have, on the basis that we know what we mean by our terminology, even though it is somewhat inconsistent. I believe this is undesirable and also unnecessary, provided we can think it through and come to some sort of an agreement. If "chemical" analysis is accepted as referring to the chemical identity and relative proportions of elements, ions and compounds in a sample, it is inescapable that methods of chemical identification and determination can be physical (e.g. emission spectrometry) and physiological (e.g. odor) as "physical analysis," concerned with the "physical composition" of the sample, i.e., the number of phases present, their physical states, the particle size distribution, etc. "Chemical methods or physical analysis" are not inconceivable. This leads to a definition of analysis somewhat as follows: "Analysis is the experimental examination of a sample for the purpose of obtaining information about its physical and chemical composition."
σ-CRESOL m-CRESOL
PHENOL
WATER I3MIN
Run shows separation of high boiling components a t column temperature of 1 9 0 ° C . 2,4-xylenol which boils at 2 1 1 ° C is separated in 11 minutes. Good resolution of other components is obtained.
Filter Paper Numbering We have room for one more letter, this one from J. C. Ramsey, Jr., associate research professor, University of Florida, who feels that with all the work on standardization, filter paper numbering is in bad shape. Perhaps manufacturers could adopt or add to existing systems a more logical one as suggested by this letter. Much work has been done in standardization in chemistry: nomenclature, standard taper joints, etc. There is, however, one field still crying for standardization: filter paper numbering. The various manufacturers not only do not use the same system of designation, but seemingly no one company uses a logical, consistent system. For instance S&S, in order of increasing coarseness, has numbers 507, 590, 589 (various colored "ribbons"), and 589-1 H. In the same order are Whatman 42, 44, 40, 41, 41 H. Munktell uses OK and 00. I t is a small, but definite and useless nuisance. I suggest a system of the general type numbers of 500 to 599, finest to coarsest, for quantitative analysis; 400 to 499 for qualitative, or any similar logical system. Papers manufactured a t present could be given appropriate numbers in the series, leaving plenty of space between for future offerings.
LU The above determination of methane in air was accomplished in five minutes. Other light gases boiling below ? 0 ° C are rapidly separated.
New P-E Model 154-B Vapor Fractometer
ANALYZES LIQUIDS BOILING UP TO 300 C
Since ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY contains
papers covering the whole field of analysis, as defined above, its title is therefore too restrictive.
START
i_
The fast, precise technique of gas chromatography can now be. applied to the analysis of esters, cresols, phenols, xylenols, chlorinated aromatics and high alcohols boiling at 300 °C or below with P-E's new Model 154-B Vapor Fractometer. Small laboratories just getting into gas chroma tography work find it well suited to their needs while laboratories per forming a high volume and wide range of chromatographic analyses can use the full range and versatility of the instrument. P-E's Vapor Fractometers are the most widely used gas chromatography instruments. CHECK THESE FEATURES • Continuously adjustable temperature control from room tem perature to 2 2 5 ° C . • Most sensitive dual thermal conductivity detector available in any commercial instrument with a detecfability reaching 1 part in 100,000. • Precise recorder range control in steps of 2 over range of 1 through 512 for accurate trace and high concentration analysis. • Reproducible liquid (and gas) sampling accessory for intro duction of exact sample volume. • Reproducible gas sampling valve.* • Sample collection outlet accessory for collecting eluted pures for reuse or identification by auxiliary methods such as infrared, ultraviolet, or mass spectroscopy. • More experience in Gas Chromatography. P-E's application laboratory can provide a broad scope of technical information and advice on problems. •U.S.
Write for the new l à - p a g e booklet on the Model 154-B, including sampling features and performance runs of ten different column materials.
Patent N o . 2 , 7 5 7 , 5 4 1
Instrument
Division
Perkin-Elmer Corporation NORWALK, CONNECTICUT For further information, circle number 49 λ on Readers' Service Card, page 73 A VOL. 2 9 , N O . 1 , JANUARY 1 9 5 7
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