Books
Separating Inorganic Species
Chromatography for Inorganic Chemistry Michael Lederer John Wiley & Sons 605 Third Ave. New York, NY 10158 1994, 221 pp., $50
This book contains a wealth of historic information on the application of chromatographic techniques to the separation of inorganic substances. Much of this information is of interest to the serious chromatographer but is not found in modern treatments of chromatography. Among the examples and comments provided by the author are numerous examples of the use of unique chemical approaches, including many that are being "rediscovered" in modern separation techniques. Almost all possible areas of chromatography are covered and, as a consequence, the introduction to each area is often short; in some instances such coverage would be inadequate for inorganic chemists with a weak background in chromatography. The serious chromatography researcher would be well advised to examine this text for "old" approaches that will be of use for "new" developments in modern separation science. However, one must give careful attention to the preface comments made by the author, in which he states that the book is intended as a textbook for a course of lectures, that examples used to illustrate principles are often taken from his own work, and that analytical applications are not surveyed. This is indeed the case; consequently, this book will be of secondary interest to many analysts seeking modern approaches to the chromatographic determination of inorganic species. 36 A
There is almost no discussion of modern separation approaches, and in the short discussion on ion chromatography— which is focused primarily on suppressed systems—the author says, "Although ion chromatography has been found very attractive for analyses, it does not offer much to the inorganic chemist as yet." This comment and the author's treatment of the subject matter seem to indicate that this text is intended for inorganic chemists who are interested in the separation and preparation of complex and less common inorganic species. Although such Systems are important and often difficult to work with, the reader must be aware that many simpler analytical systems are not treated in any detail. Appreciable treatment is given to some simple species
This text is intended for inorganic chemists interested in complex and less common species. such as lanthanides, but little is said about simple anion systems and almost no mention is made of common transition metal ions. Although the author forewarns us that he uses many examples from his own work and that he has not provided a complete list of references, it must be noted that most examples and references given are quite old (late 1950s to the late 1970s), and the majority of the discussion centers on classical techniques. Thus this book would not serve as a basis for a course to introduce students to modern approaches. Basic separation chemistry is discussed, but examples are often given without explanation. Obviously, using this book in a course presented by the au-
Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 67, No. 1, January 1, 1995
thor would not be a problem, but it would not be easy for the uninitiated student to grasp the significance of many of the points being made. However, this book would be highly useful in the preparation of a chromatography course because of the history and chemistry contained within it. Reviewed by Richard Cassidy, University of Saskatchewan (Canada)
Fractionation by SFC/SFE
Fractionation by Packed-Column SFC and SFE Muneo Saito, Yoshio Yamauchi, and Tsuneo Okuyama, Eds. VCH 220 E. 23rd St. New York, NY 10010 1994,273 pp., $115
This book, which features general principles and techniques as well as detailed discussions on a number of selected applications, contains contributionsfromseveral Japanese research institutes, universities, industrial companies, and instrument companies. The title of the book, unfortunately, is misleading; the actual content includes a comprehensive overview of the theory and uses of supercritical fluids for sample preparation and separation. For the most part, the book is easy to read with the sometimes large amount of theory disseminated in the text. Practical hints appear throughout, a feature that newcomers to supercritical fluid technology should appreciate.
The historical exploratory developments in supercritical fluid technology are described so that they cannot be confused with practical everyday uses of the techniques. Although the work of this field's pioneers is important, the authors have omitted valuable secondgeneration contributions. Some misleading statements are also present. For example, it is mentioned correctly that the practical number of plates generated per second favors the use of packed columns compared with open-tubular columns, and it is concluded that the packed column offers sufficient efficiency to separate most samples in a shorter period of time. However, the author fails to mention the important fact that the total efficiency of the column and the upper pressure
A large number of applications are discussed in the second half of the book. limit of me system must also be sufficient for the sample in question. Another confusing detail in the introduction is that the term "capillary column" is used without clarifying whether it refers to a packed or an opentubular column. The fundamental discussions following the introduction are generally well written and give basic knowledge about supercritical fluid properties and instrumentation. A large number of applications published between 1988 and 1991 are discussed in the second half of the book. SFE has been used in the food, beverage, perfume, and flavor industries for more than 20 years for separating useful compounds from unwanted compounds in the matrix. Lemon-peel oil
extraction andfractionationas well as fatty number, an applicability statement, cauacid and triglyceride separations are distionary notes, addresses of suppliers of cussed in two chapters. Preparative sepanecessary chemicals, CAS registry numrations of optical isomers are discussed in bers, and a reference to the published one chapter, as is the use of SFE for excollaborative study. traction of solventsfromfermented biomass with survival of biocatalytic bacteria Undergraduate Instrumental and the possibility of testing SFE exAnalysis, 5th ed. tracts for mutagenicity without the need James W. Robinson for sterilization. Marcel Dekker SFE is also useful in removing mono270 Madison Ave. mers, oligomers, and solvent impurities in New York, NY 10016 polymeric compounds as well as for the 1994, 872 pp., $65 purification of fine chemicals. Application of preparative SFC to oligomer analysis This textbook is intended for use in a and characterization is discussed in one course in analytical chemistry for chemischapter. Finally, a chapter is dedicated to try majors and nonmajors alike. Chapter the fractionation of C60 and C70 carbon topics (in order) include concepts of anaclusters using toluene-modified carbon lytical chemistry; an introduction to specdioxide. Each application chapter is intro- troscopy; concepts of spectroscopy; NMR duced by text that includes interesting spectroscopy; IR absorption; visible and anecdotes as well as state-of-the-art inforUV molecular absorption spectroscopy; mation about analytical needs. AA spectroscopy; spectrophotometry, colorimetry, and polarimetry; flame photomAs an advocate for theory that makes etry; emission spectrography, ICP emissense in practice, I recommend this book for newcomers to the field as well as for ex- sion, and ICPMS; X-ray spectroscopy; surface analysis; chromatography; therperienced practitioners of supercritical mal analysis; MS; and electrochemistry. fluid technology. Reviewed by Karin Markides, University of Uppsala (Sweden) Instrumental Methods for Determining Elements BOOKS RECEIVED Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, 16th ed. Patricia A. Cunniff, Ed. AOAC International 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 400-FF Arlington, VA 22301-3301 1995, 2000 pp., $359
This two-volume loose-leaf set contains more than 2100 collaboratively tested chemical and biological methods. The 16th edition contains 149 new and 103 newly revised methods, including enzyme-linked immunoassays, chemical methods for microbiological assays, and combustion methods for nitrogen determination. Each method includes a locator
Larry R. Taylor, Richard B. Papp, and Bruce D. Pollard VCH 220 E. 23rd St. New York, NY 10010
1994, 322 pp., $75
This book focuses on selection and applications of instrumental methods for determining elements in a variety of matrices. It provides a practical guide with a minimum of theory for choosing an appropriate technique and covers AA AE, X-ray fluorescence, electrochemical, potentiometric, chromatographic, and combustion techniques in detail. Miscellaneous techniques, including CE, FIA MS, NAA and UV-vis spectrometry, are discussed in the final chapter. References are included at the end of each chapter, and a subject index appears at the end of the book.
Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 67, No. 1, January 1, 1995 37 A
