Ultraviolet-visible molecular applications

Analysis is an integral part of research, clinical, and industrial laboratory methodology. The determination of the components of a substance or the sample in question can be qualitative, quantitative, or both. Techniques that are available to the analyst for such determinations are abundant. In absorption spectroscopy, the molecular absorption properties of the analyte are measured with laboratory instruments that function as detectors. Those that provide absorbance readings over the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) light spectrum are commonly used in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The above method is sufficiently sensitive for quantitative analysis and it has a broader application than other modes of detection. 

Molecular Spectroscopy, Methods and Applications in Chemistry, G. H. Beaven, E. A. Johnson, H. A. Willis, and R. G. Miller, The Macmillan Company (1962). Ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectroscopy for beginners in analytical spectroscopy. 

Ultraviolet and visible molecular spectrometry applications (E9) Evolved gas analysis (G4)... 

Certain compounds, whether present in solution or in solid state (as molecular or ionic crystals) emit light when they are excited by photons in the visible or near ultraviolet domain of the spectrum. This phenomenon, called luminescence, is the basis of fluorimetry, a very selective and sensitive analysis technique. The corresponding measurements are made with fluorimeters or spectrofluorimeters and, for chromatographic applications, with fluorescence detectors. 

These devices are based on the anisotropic absorption of light. Usually molecular crystals exhibit this property and tourmaline is the classical example for this. For practical purposes, however, micro crystals are oriented in polymer sheets. Polymers containing chromophors become after stretching dichroic polarizers. The devices produced in this manner are called polawids. They have found a broad application in many technologies. Their application in spectroscopy is limited to the near ultraviolet and to the visible and near infrared range of the spectrum. In vibrational spectroscopy polaroids are employed as analyzers only for Raman spectroscopy. 

In this section, we first consider types of molecular species that absorb ultraviolet and visible radiation. We then describe qualitative and quantitative applications of... 

Luminescence spectroscopy is an analytical method derived from the emission of light by molecules which have become electronically excited subsequent to the absorption of visible or ultraviolet radiation. Due to its high analytical sensitivity (concentrations of luminescing analytes 1 X 10 9 moles/L are routinely determined), this technique is widely employed in the analysis of drugs and metabolites. These applications are derived from the relationships between analyte concentrations and luminescence intensities and are therefore similar in concept to most other physicochemical methods of analysis. Other features of luminescence spectral bands, such as position in the electromagnetic spectrum (wavelength or frequency), band form, emission lifetime, and excitation spectrum, are related to molecular structure and environment and therefore also have analytical value. 

In contrast to the ultraviolet and visible absorption methods described earlier, details of the methodology of luminescence spectroscopy are not widely known and few standard methods have evolved. Books on theory and techniques are helpful (44) as are memoranda on applications from instrument manufacturers. ASTM Committee E-13.06 on Molecular Luminescence has had large task forces working for several years on practices for instrument testing, nomenclature, and analytical procedures. Recent symposia sponsored by that committee are the basis for two new books (45, 6). 

For the purification of compounds, methods including molecular filtration, solid phase extraction (SPE, SPME), solvent extraction, and a variety of basic chromatographic techniques (thin layer, low pressure, ion exchange, size exclusion, etc.), HPLC, and GC (with derivatization of nonvolatile compounds) can be used. Additionally, instrumentation to identify compounds is available, such as the different spectrometric applications, including infrared (IR), mass (MS), ultraviolet and visible (UV-Vis), and NMR spectroscopy. In recent years, the so-called hyphenated techniques (combined chromatographic and spectral methods such as... 

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