A COMPLETE FAMILY
by using the SigmaPlot toolbox. The basic forward user interface that permits easy drawing tools supplied are sufficient to navigation of the pages and chapters of add any missing details to the plot. the HPLC-TP5 program. We also generated a number of other HPLC-TP5 provides an overview of the plots for this evaluation, including a molecular interactions involved in chro vanDeemter plot, a control chart with up matographic separations, followed by sec per and lower control limits, and various tions describing column packings and bar and pie charts. In all cases, data entry column characteristics related to band and generation of the plot were simple broadening, resolution, and overall perfor and straightforward. For the calibration mance. A chapter is devoted to each mode curve shown, ~ 5 min were required to of chromatography, including adsorption, enter the data and generate the plot, in normal phase, reversed phase, ion pair, cluding labeling of the axes. With a ion exchange, and size exclusion. A sec Hewlett-Packard LaserJet series II printer, tion on chiral separations is also included. the plot was printed in just over 1 min. The format of the program is that of a SigmaPlot for Windows is a very pow computerized book, complete with chap erful scientific graphing and data analysis ters, a table of contents, and appendices. program that is user friendly and very The usual book experience is enhanced flexible. The only limitation was its inabil by the inclusion of embedded graphics ity to produce 3D bar-graph plots, but vir and animation to illustrate the key points tually any type of 2D plot can be made. of each chapter. In a few sections, a The documentation is excellent, and nov minispreadsheet allows the user to calcu ice users will be able to get up to speed late values such as the pressure drop rapidly. SigmaPlot is very effective for use across an HPLC column, based on user in a wide variety of routine and nonroutine input of the relevant parameters. applications by scientific professionals and Interconnections between related sub is well worth the investment. ject matter are emphasized by occasional Reviewed by R. E. Clement, Ontario dialogue boxes that provide an easy way Ministry of the Environment and Energy, to jump to another section and review ma Ontario, Canada, and M. D. Meek, Univer terial from another chapter. For example, sity of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada solvent information from the chapter on reversed-phase HPLC can be reviewed within the context of the later chapter on ion pair separations. The program is easy to install, pro vided that the user is familiar with basic DOS and Windows commands. The user must create the application directory, TRAINING PROGRAM manually copy the files from a diskette, and set up the icon and file association within the Windows environment. These activities are not difficult, but ideally they should be handled automatically by the phenomenex installation routine. Once the program was installed, I found navigation of the program intuitive HPLC-TP5: Separation and extremely easy thanks to the excel Modes of HPLC lent Toolbook interface. There is no need Phenomenex to consult the product manual to learn 2320 W. 205th St. how to move through the program. In ad Torrance, CA 90501 dition to a set of arrows on the top bar of 310-212-0555; 310-328-7768 (fax) each page, a variety of other links be $495 tween chapters and pages are provided. By using the mouse to point and click on any chapter listed in the table of contents, The fifth in a series of training programs a list of topics within the selected chapter available from Phenomenex, HPLC-TP5: Separation Modes of HPLC is a computer- is produced. Clicking on any topic imme diately brings that page to the screen. assisted instructional program that runs on IBM-compatible PCs in the Windows A number of program sections can be environment, as a Toolbook application printed, including a glossary, a bibliogra (Savant Audiovisuels, Inc.). The Toolbook phy, and a variety of useful tables pro package provides an intuitive and straight vided as appendices. Unfortunately, I had
Seven degrees of separation
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Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 66, No. 10, May 15, 1994 587 A
Software
Working Safely in the Chemistry Laboratory Here in one volume is the latest infor mation on every aspect of laboratory work-from researching assignments to calculating and reporting results. Learn how to design and build the necessary equipment, work in the labo ratory with maximum safety and effi ciency, do calculations easily and correctly, present meaningful results, and suggest further work. Whether used as a text or a work bench reference. Working Safely in the Chemistry Laboratory is an indispens able tool for anyone who works in a chemical laboratory or pilot plant.
CONTENTS First Aid Safe Practices in the Laboratory Fire Safety Toxic Chemicals Electrical Hazards Radiation Hazards Laboratory Xotebooks Aids for Calculations Use and Interpretation of Data Shop Practices Specifications Testing Chemical Literature and the Library Harry G. Hajian, Sr. and Robert L. Pecsok 270 pages(1994) Clothbound: ISBN 0-8412-2706-3 $59.95 Paperbound: ISBN 0-8412-2707-1 $39.95
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588 A
A section devoted to chiral chromatography is included.
mixed success with the printer interface. As often as not, I was kicked out of Win dows when I tried to print a table or the results from one of the special calculation or column selection routines. Sometimes it was necessary to reboot the computer to get back into Windows and resume work. When I successfully sent something to the printer, I found that the columns of the printed tables did not line up properly. The information provided in the HPLCTP5 program is accurate, concise, and extremely well organized. Although the words do not differ much from what might appear in a well-written text, the integrated graphics (especially the anima tion sequences) add something that can not be duplicated on paper. I particularly liked the animation of the band-broaden ing processes, which brought to life some concepts that do not come across espe cially well in 2D diagrams. The effect of flow rate on mass transfer is dramatically demonstrated by user-selected changes in the (simulated) flow rate. One or two potentially confusing uses of terminology were noted. The term "dead volume" refers sometimes to the column void volume and sometimes (in cluding in the glossary definition) to the system's extracolumn delay volume. In addition, the glossary definition of theoret ical plates refers to "baseline peak width" but probably should refer to the "tangentdefined baseline peak width" because var ious peak widths may be used to deter mine the plate count. Although application examples are provided for each mode of chromatogra phy, they do not always flow naturally from the instructional content of the chap ter. For example, most of the applications of paired ion chromatography use pairing agents that are not discussed in the chap ter. In the section on chiral chromatogra phy, the applications focus exclusively on Pirkle-type columns, and practical advice
Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 66, No. 10, May 15, 1994
within the chapter (e.g., column storage recommendations) also seems to be tai lored to these columns. HPLC-TP5 provides an excellent over view of the various modes of chromatog raphy for someone who has done a bit of chromatography, or perhaps for someone who has specialized entirely in one mode and wants to become familiar with the basic concepts underlying the other avail able modes. I don't believe that the pack age provides enough depth on any given topic to enable the user to head off to the lab and try a new mode of chromatogra phy. Additional reading and training would be required. The program is strongest in its presen tation of fundamental concepts. Practical and applications-related information is not nearly as extensive; thus, the program has limited impact on training for actual labo ratory operations. A computerized deci sion tree is included to assist the user in selecting from among the modes of chro matography on the basis of sample prop erties (solubility, molecular weight, ρΚ.Λ, etc.), but the advice resulting from this exercise is only a column/eluent combina tion that would require considerable ex perimental refinement in the laboratory. The program's advice might be used as the starting point for other available meth ods development software packages such as DryLab (LC Resources, Orinda, CA). HPLC-TP5 provides a useful and valu able training tool for those needing an overview of the various modes of HPLC. Considering that Phenomenex has made the program available at a very reasonable price (when ordered in combination with its products), I would recommend that this program be added to the training re sources of academia and industry. Reviewed by F. Vincent Warren, BristolMyers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ
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