Analytical chemistry repertoire

A number of gravimetric methods, such as the determination of Ct in a soluble salt, have been part of the standard repertoire of experiments for introductory courses in analytical chemistry. Listed here are additional experiments that may be used to provide practical examples of gravimetry. 

The relations between the questions that are answered by analytical chemistry are shown in Fig. 1.4. The tetrahedron represents the basic analytical repertoire in a simplified way. It can be seen that all the analytical treatments are connected with each other. 

In Fig. 1.5 the repertoire of analytical chemistry is classified more in detail according to element and structure analysis and according to the extent of quantification. 

A quantification of the repertoire of analytical chemistry is shown in Fig. 1.6. The field of operation covers over 30 orders of magnitude and more when the amount of lots is included. On the other hand, the relative amounts (contents, concentrations) with which the analyst has to do covers 20 orders and more because single atom detection has become reality now. 

A major theme of this book could be the same one we advocated ten years ago. That is that immunochemistry represents a very powerful analytical tool which is applicable to many but certainly not all problems in environmental chemistry. Thus, it complements but does not replace other analytical methods. The technology is so powerful and versatile that it should be in the repertoire of every analytical chemist. Yet there must be an understanding that the technology is very useful for some compounds and some problems, but that it is no panacea. Ten years ago the challenge was to encourage understanding of the tremendous power of the technology, while today we must preach the limitations. 

Mass spectrometry has clearly become an integral part of the organic chemistry laboratory. Applications in both qualitative and quantitative terms have been well documented in scientific journals and books aimed at the advanced analytical or organic research chemist. This book permits the introduction of mass spectrometry and its applications at the undergraduate level. The organic chemist who wishes to add mass spectrometry to a repertoire of useful analytical tools should also find this book helpful. 

---