History of Analytical Chemistry - ACS Publications - American

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cists, biologists, or whatever. The technical level is such that it will broaden the horizons of today's nar­ row specialists in measurement science in a most enjoyable manner. The book will become a treasured addition to each individual's personal library, and we owe a great debt of thanks to the Division for its publica­ tion and sale at such a nominal price.

A History of Analytical Chemistry. Her­ bert A. Laitinen and Galen W. Ewing, Eds. xiv + 358 pages. The Division of Analytical Chemistry of the American Chemical Society. Order through Frank A. Guthrie, Dept. of Chemistry, RoseHulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind. 47803. 1977. $7.00, ACS Analytical Division members; $10, nonmembers. Add $1.00 for foreign post­ age

origin of early apparatus, reagents, and techniques help to maintain the continued interest of the reader. To further personalize the treatment, portraits of 36 scientists who have contributed much to advancing the discipline are included. In addition to the historical developments of the var­ ious technical subjects, there are some interesting facts regarding the "roots"

Reviewed by George H. Morrison, Dept. of Chemistry, Cornell Universi­ ty, Ithaca, Ν. Υ. 14853

ISTRY and the Division of Analytical Chemistry of the ACS. Recognizing the difficulty in assem­ bling such a large amount of diverse information, the editors have done a remarkably fine job in organizing the material. There are, however, a num­ ber of instances where the reader may disagree with the relative amount of space and detail given to certain his­ torical developments. The amount of material presented appears to be pro­ portional to the energy of the contrib­ utors. For example, only 34 pages are devoted to all analytical separations vs. 31 pages on just one spectrochemical method, x-ray analysis. Such an important method as mass spectrome­ try is covered in only 13 pages, with very little information on the develop­ ment of inorganic mass spectrometry. In spite of these limitations there do not appear to be any obvious omis­ sions. On a more positive note, the final chapter on instrumentation pro­ vides an excellent perspective about its important role in analysis. As the editors suggest in the preface, perhaps this book will stimulate historians to explore this complex subject more fully. This volume will be of interest to a wide audience including all students and practitioners of analytical chemis­ try, whether they be chemists, physi­

In response to the American Chemi­ cal Society's centennial program in 1976, the Division of Analytical Chem­ istry embarked on a monumental task, the preparation of a book describing the history of the discipline of analyti­ cal chemistry with emphasis on Amer­ ican contributions. Because modern analytical chemis­ try is so diverse'in its activities and its origins, a team of four topical editors and 51 contributors under the able ed­ itorship of Professors Laitinen and Ewing was involved in the preparation of this historical account. Although the contributors are all experts in their respective fields, they are admit­ tedly amateurs in recording historical events; therefore, the treatment of dif­ ferent topics varies considerably. In spite of the contrasts in style, the book still makes for very exciting reading. The text contains five major sec­ tions dealing with the chemical, spectrochemical, electrochemical, separa­ tions, and instrumental aspects of analysis. The technical accomplish­ ments of the pioneers in each of these fields are well presented and embel­ lished with anecdotal notes. Fascinat­ ing bits of information regarding the

of our J O U R N A L A N A L Y T I C A L C H R M -

Analysis of Paper. 2nd Ed. B. L. Brown­ ing, viii + 366 pages. Marcel Dekker, Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016. 1977. $33.50

Reviewed by Edwin P. Crowell, Re­ search & Development Div., Union Camp Corp., P.O. Box 412, Princeton, N.J. 08540 Professor Browning has continued his long tradition of writing compre­ hensive practical books on the analyti­ cal chemistry of wood, pulp, and paper. "Analysis of Paper" provides the technologist concerned with the manufacture or use of paper with a very practical how-to-do-it text for the analysis of the paper product. The paper industry is one of civili­ zation's oldest yet constantly changing activities, and the technical informa­ tion is reported in extremely diverse literature sources. The first edition of this book, published in 1969, filled a very important need by organizing in a single volume the information on paper analysis. Professor Browning accomplished this task in a most pro­ fessional and technically competent manner, and the quality of his work continues in this second edition. The book now has a sound mix of historically proven classical methods supplemented with modern instru­ mental methods. The focus of this treatise is problem solving, not tech­ nique oriented. The author's vast ex­ perience with the art and science of papermaking is reflected in the brief but comprehensive process explana­ tions that he uses as an introduction to each analytical subject. This pro­ vides a bridge between need and anal­ ysis and makes this book a useful tool to both the experienced technologist and the neophyte. The introductory chapter discusses paper as a commodity and provides a comprehensive overview. The second

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 50, NO. 1, JANUARY 1978 · 73 A

Books chapter, new to this edition, summarizes the modern instrumental techniques of analyses and gives the reader a foundation for the subsequent problem-oriented chapters. Chapters on sampling, determination of moisture, fiber analysis, fiber quality methods, lignin, rosin size, proteins, waxes and oils, acidity and alkalinity, specks and defects, wet-strength agents, and special-purpose additives are essentially unchanged from the original edition. The following chapters were moderately revised: starch, coatings, fillers and white coating pigments, dyes and colored pigments, biological control agents, minor inorganic and organic components, general identification of additives, synthetic resins, polysaccharides and gums, noncellulose fibers, permanence, and forensic science. This is a well-written book. The one weak point is that in several instances more than one technique is presented for a single property, but no adequate judgment criteria are offered to help make a selection among alternatives. A few typographical errors were found, but they did not confuse the context. Literature references through 1975 were included; I did not find any significant omissions. For those paper technologists who do not possess the first edition of "Analysis of Paper", I strongly recommend this addition to their library. Clearly, this book is a desk top must. However, the question always arises on second editions, "If I have the first, should I buy the second?" My judgment is less emphatic on this question because the amount of new material in the later edition is relatively small. This is due to the lack of significant publications in the field over the last nine years, not to the quality of authorship. Gas Chromatography of Polymers. V. G. Berezkin, V. R. Alishoyev, and I. B. Nemirovskaya. vii + 223 pages. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., P.O. Box 211, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 52 Vanderbilt Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017. 1977. $41.95. Dfl. 103

Reviewed by D. C. Locke, Dept. of Chemistry, Queens College, Flushing, N.Y. 11367 "Gas Chromatography of Polymers" is a translation of the 1972 Russian edition, with additions reflecting progress in the area. The title is, of course, a misnomer. The book deals comprehensively with GC methods useful in the characterization and analysis of polymer systems. There has not been a full-length

book on this subject since one published in 1969. In addition, this work is probably most valuable because of the numerous citations given to the Russian literature on the subject, while not in the least slighting Western contributions. It is certainly more balanced in this regard than most monographs in English or Russian. The book is in fact exceptionally well referenced, which although producing a rather heavy style, will inform the reader exactly what is the state of the art. I have never been able to fathom why authors writing about specialized areas of GC still feel obligated to include an introductory chapter on basic principles of GC, and this book is no exception. The treatment is at the usual (and flawed) level of most undergraduate instrumental analysis texts, and wholly unnecessary in my view. Besides the title, some of the chapter headings are misleading. Thus, the chapter on analysis of monomers and solvents is actually concerned with GC analysis of trace impurities. Although it is an interesting general discussion of the theory and practice of trace analysis, the polymer chemist will find little in the way of specific guidance for his or her particular problems. However, the discussions of the GC study of the kinetics of polymerization and copolymerization reactions (but not emulsion polymerization), and the determination of volatile compounds in polymer systems are closer to the mark, thoroughly reviewing the field, comparing GC with conventional methodology, and proposing new applications of GC. Characterization of polymers through chemical and thermal transformations followed by GC analysis of the products takes up almost a third of the book in three chapters. One of the authors (Berezkin) has published extensively in these areas, including a well-regarded book on analytical reaction GC (1968); therefore, these chapters are especially thorough. Their treatment of reaction GC and pyrolysis GC in particular is more up-to-date and better than any other text available. The final chapter deals with the study of polymers through inverse GC. A variety of thermodynamic and physical data can be determined this way. Although a number of recent, and not inaccessible, references are not cited, the broadness and importance of this application of GC are conveyed fully and with insight. One difficulty readers will have is the lack of an index. Otherwise, the translation is excellent, and the text

74 A · ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 50, NO. 1, JANUARY 1978

virtually free of errors. The authors are clearly experts writing from experience. The book is essential reading for polymer chemists and should be included in any well-rounded GC library. The price is unfortunately way out of line for a 224-page book.

New Books Advances in Automated Analysis. Vols. 1 and 2. Edwin C. Barton et al., Eds. Vol. 1, xxi + 490 pages; Vol. 2, xi + 366 pages. Technicon Instrument Corp., Tarrytown, N.Y. 10591. 1977. $30, Vol. 1; $25, Vol. 2; $50, both volumes

The proceedings of the 7th Technicon International Congress held December 13-15, 1976, in New York City •are presented in these two volumes. The meeting was sponsored by Technicon Instruments Corp., Tarrytown, N.Y., renowned instrument manufacturers of automatic analyzers for clinical and industrial uses. Volume 1 contains more than 80 papers concerned with clinical analysis and hospital management. This volume also contains the plenary address by John H. Knowles and the Leonard Skeggs Award address by Poul Astrup. The papers are arranged under 11 symposia sessions: advanced clinical systems, biochemical profiling, electrochemistry, continuous-flow analysis, acute care, SMAC update, automated immunoassay, immunohematology/immunology, hematology, hospital management, and government and the laboratory. Volume 2, "Industrial Symposia" (as opposed to clinical), presents 70 papers on automated instrumental analysis in the industrial setting. The papers are divided into five sections: automated instrumental analysis and the environment, automated instrumental analysis and the food supply, automated instrumental analysis and the pharmaceutical industry, automated instrumental analysis for animal health and herd management, and new technology in automated analysis. An Introduction to Nonanalytical Applications of Gas Chromatography. Kanai Lai Mallik. vii + 224 pages. The Peacock Press, D-44 South Extension-I, New Delhi 110049, India. 1976. $13.95

As evident from the title, this brief monograph is not intended as an analytical text. As such the treatment is presented strictly from the viewpoint of the physical chemist who uses gas chromatographic techniques to elucidate physicochemical parameters.