An Overview of Analytical Chemistry in Australia

ABSTRACT

A brief overview of analytical chemistry research in Australia is presented and reference is made to the work of several research groups. Topics covered include the development of a longitudinally modulated cryogenic system for comprehensive gas chromatography, mixed-mode capillary electrochromatography for manipulation of separation selectivity of inorganic ions, new developments in chemical metrology, discontinuous flow analysis and its applications, the design and applications of an orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer, and the use of chemiluminescence in a range of analytical techniques.     

The Quest for Sensitivity,Specificity, and Speed in Chemical Analysis

Abstract

One of the fascinating features of analytical chemistry is the continuous challenge it provides the practitioners of this profession. As we are confronted with our current analytical problems and anticipate even more thought provoking and complex problems in the future it is reassuring to pause and examine the progress that has been made and is being made in the development of sensitive, specific and rapid methods of chemical analysis. Relevant to solving complex analytical problems and in handling samples of unusual complexity I would like to quote a sentence from one of Professor Laitinen's recent editorials in ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: “It boils down to the fact that complex mixtures will become increasingly important in the future, but no matter how sophisticated the instrumentation may become, the analytical chemist will continue to be the most important component in the solution of analytical problems”¹. A review of the historical developments in analytical chemistry does indicate the importance of individuals and their unique resourcefulness, creativity and rational thinking in responding to practical problems and their own scientific curiosity.     

The “Pratique De Chymie” of Sébastien Matte La Faveur

Abstract

“The fact that the new antiphlogistic doctrine was at first received with doubt, if not a certain amount of scorn, is in part the fault of the nation from which it came. France is not the country from which we Germans are accustomed to expect lasting scientific principles. Short-lived marvels are the norm, which past experience has taught us to expect … There may be exceptions. Perhaps French chemistry is one of these. If it is, then the reason may lie partly in the fact that its most splendid cornerstones are not of French origin.”     

Analytical Chemistry in Australia

Abstract

Analytical chemistry in Australia is alive, but its current development can be likened to that of a young and vigorous infant who needs assured supplies of food, a favourable environment and some sound guidance for growth and eventual maturity. That analytical chemistry exists in Australia and is healthy, has occurred despite the existence of most of the 19 universities in Australia! Sweden, with a population of 8.5 million, has 10 chairs in analytical chemistry in 5 main universities and analytical chemistry has been an acknowledged branch of chemistry at Swedish universities since 1960¹. Australia, with a population of 13.5 million and reasonably comparable standard of living and industrial development, has only one chair in analytical chemistry (at The University of New South Wales) in its 19 universities. However, 4 of the remaining universities (Newcastle, La Trobe, Tasmania and Queensland) have a strong interest in analytical chemistry, which is somewhat difficult to discern by the incorporation of analytical chemistry in either general chemistry or inorganic chemistry departments.     

Some Comments on the Contemporary Helmontian Renaissance

Abstract

This paper uses case studies of the cities of Nancy and Metz to demonstrate that chemistry was established as a thriving public science in the French provinces in the last decades of the old regime. It shows that physicians and apothecaries were key figures in this development. I argue that a detailed study of how such minor figures as Henry Michel du Tennetar and Pierre François Nicolas in Nancy constructed their public lives and careers can help us to a broader analysis, one that is not exclusively metropolitan, of the social, cultural, economic and political forces that shaped chemistry in France in the period of the Chemical and French Revolutions.     

Analytical Chemistry in Israel

Abstract

Analytical chemistry in Israel is not in as good a shape as one may wish. Several attempts have been made to instill interest in this branch of the profession among faculty members, practicing chemists and students, but no great stride forward can be recorded, and on the contrary, some set-backs must be noted. Nevertheless, analytical chemistry is practiced vigorously in several laboratories, and original Israeli contributions in this field have been noted by the international community of analytical chemists. It is on this background that the present survey is being presented.     

Analytical Chemistry in Romania

Abstract

Until now there has been no attempt to write the complete history of analytical chemistry in Romania. Nevertheless, we consider it important that our young chemists learn about the history of analytical chemistry in our country, because you can never step forward if you disregard the past. Furthermore, scientists in other countries might find the history and current status of analytical chemistry in Romania of interest.     

Analytical Chemistry in the USSR

Abstract

In the USSR analytical chemistry is one of the most important of the chemical disciplines. Since its beginning as an independent part of the chemical research, analytical chemistry has developed as an integral part of the political economy, and serves the practical needs of industry, as well as being a theoretically well-founded science. Besides economically important problems like the analysis of the composition of sediments of raw materials, quality control in metallurgy and in the production of rare elements, analytical control in the chemical, pharmaceutical, nuclear-energy and semiconductor production are of importance, and furthermore, analysts develop their own theory, and success in many phases of development are related to a knowledge of other sciences, especially to physics, mathematics, general chemistry, metallurgy, biology, etc.     

Recent advances in ionic liquids: green unconventional solvents of this century: part II

Abstract

In the second part of our paper, further recent developments of ionic liquids in selected name reactions of carbonyl chemistry such as Mannich, Reformatsky, Cannizaro, Streacker, Barbier, Pechmann, etc. are described.     

Automation in und mit der Analytischen Chemie

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Automation in and with analytical chemistryV. Classification of working ranges in analytical chemistry with regard to computers

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Teil IV: diese Z. 256, 7 (1971)     

Synthesis of green nanocatalysts and industrially important green reactions

Abstract

There is a growing interest in applying green chemistry for nanocatalysis applications. On the basis of a Scifinder Scholar search, the field of applying green chemistry to catalysis with nanoparticles has undergone an explosive growth from year 2002 to present. It can be seen that green chemistry applied to nanocatalysis is a relatively hot area with much room for growth. I discuss several review articles written about the use of green nanocatalysts as well as green reactions. I discuss studies involving the synthesis of green nanocatalysts and application of metal nanocatalysts in green reactions. I have organized the discussion of green nanocatalysts by the type of nanoparticles that are synthesized and used as catalysts. I have organized discussions of green reactions by the type of green reaction that is being conducted. Overall, our review article discusses developments in new types of green nanocatalysts as well as developments in green catalytic reactions.     

Systematic Analytical Errors: Influence on the Grouping and Classification of Samples

Abstract

Two different sets of data have been subjected to distortion by induced systematic errors of types that are common in analytical chemistry. By means of eigenvector projections and a disjoint principal components analysis it is demonstrated that even gross systematic errors do not significantly influence the classification of the samples.     

Mechanical and Chemical Explanations in Du Clos' Chemistry

Abstract

Samuel Cottereau Du Clos (1598–1685) appears as the first French chemist to combine in chemistry (for him, the science of substances, the physics of qualities) demonstrations using the laws of motion with demonstrations using the qualities of chemical principles. In this way, he brought to bear two different and complementary orders of explanation. According to Du Clos, the mechanical considerations represent a first approach, a stage towards the knowledge of “the truth of things” (la vérité des choses) in natural philosophy. He set out his chemistry at the Académie royale des sciences de Paris, especially through his criticism of Boyle's Certain Physiological Essays in 1668–1669.     

A Conflict of Analysis: Analytical Chemistry and Milk Adulteration in Victorian Britain

Abstract

This article centres on a particularly intense debate within British analytical chemistry in the late nineteenth century, between local public analysts and the government chemists of the Inland Revenue Service. The two groups differed in both practical methodologies and in the interpretation of analytical findings. The most striking debates in this period were related to milk analysis, highlighted especially in Victorian courtrooms. It was in protracted court cases, such as the well known Manchester Milk Case in 1883, that analytical chemistry was performed between local public analysts and the government chemists, who were often both used as expert witnesses. Victorian courtrooms were thus important sites in the context of the uneven professionalisation of chemistry. I use this tension to highlight what Christopher Hamlin has called the defining feature of Victorian public health, namely conflicts of professional jurisdiction, which adds nuance to histories of the struggle of professionalisation and public credibility in analytical chemistry.     

Aromatic and Chiral Phosphonate-Phosphanes - New Types of Hemilabile Ligands

Abstract

Mixed bidentate ligands gained growing interest in catalytic chemistry. These ligands are able to form hemilabile complexes, in which the phosphane group is strongly bonded to the central atom and the second ligand moiety containing O, N or S is weakly co-ordinated. In view of recent developments in asymmetric carbonylation, introduction of chirality in hemilabile ligands should be a promising approach. Recently, we have published the properties of aliphatic phosphonate-phosphanes and their rhodium complexes as catalysts in carbonylation^1,2. Now we wish to present new types of phosphonate-phosphanes 1,2,4 and 5 where both phosphorus-containing groups are connected with arorhatic rings and/or are part of chiral compounds. For example, when dibromo-binaphthyl was used as starting material, both a chiral mixed bidentate ligand 2 and a monodentate phosphinate 3 were obtained, depending on the synthesis route.     

Monitoring of vesicular exocytosis from single cells using micrometer and nanometer-sized electrochemical sensors

Communication between cells by release of specific chemical messengers via exocytosis plays crucial roles in biological process. Electrochemical detection based on ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) has become one of the most powerful techniques in real-time monitoring of an extremely small number of released molecules during very short time scales, owing to its intrinsic advantages such as fast response, excellent sensitivity, and high spatiotemporal resolution. Great successes have been achieved in the use of UME methods to obtain quantitative and kinetic information about released chemical messengers and to reveal the molecular mechanism in vesicular exocytosis. In this paper, we review recent developments in monitoring exocytosis by use of UMEs-electrochemical-based techniques including electrochemical detection using micrometer and nanometer-sized sensors, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), and UMEs implemented in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) microsystems. These advances are of great significance in obtaining a better understanding of vesicular exocytosis and chemical communications between cells, and will facilitate developments in many fields, including analytical chemistry, biological science, and medicine. Furthermore, future developments in electrochemical probing of exocytosis are also proposed. Figure In this paper, we review recent developments in monitoring the exocytosis by use of UMEs-electrochemical-based techniques including electrochemical detection using micrometer and nanometer-sized sensors, Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) and UMEs implemented in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) microsystems. These advances are of great significance in obtaining a better understanding of vesicular exocytosis and chemical communications between cells, and will facilitate developments in many fields including analytical chemistry, biological science and medicine. Furthermore, future developments in electrochemical probing of exocytosis are proposed.

High-Speed Video Densitometry: Principle and Applications

Abstract

In the past few years, TV-type multichannel detectors/Vidicon-, Plumbicon-and Orthicon tubes etc./ found application in several fields of analytical chemistry/1/. Recently, video-technique was introduced to the densitometric evaluation of thin-layer chromatograms as well/2/; the term ‘video densitometry’ is used in this context.     

A need for clearer terminology and guidance in the role of reference materials in method development and validation

 The fact that various definitions and terminology applied to measurements in analytical chemistry are not always consistent and straightforward, by not only answering the question ”what”, but also ”how”, leads to their various interpretations. This results in non-uniform implementation of very basic and essential metrological principles in chemistry. Such a diverse situation is not conducive to the endorsement of harmonised measurements all across the world, to serve as a tool for improving the quality of life in its broadest sense for all its citizens. The discussion in this paper is focused on problems associated with terminology and definitions of ’reference material’ and ’validation’. The role of reference materials in measurement processes for purposes other than calibration and validation principles in analytical chemistry are also discussed in this paper. Where possible, potential solutions are proposed, but more often, questions of essential importance are raised in order to initiate international discussion which will hopefully lead to equally understandable answers. Received: 2 November 2002 Accepted: 3 February 2003 Acknowledgements   The author is grateful to Aleš Fajgelj for his comprehensive comments on the topic described in this paper. Sincere thanks also to Philip Taylor, Ewa Bulska, Emilia Vassileva, Miloslav Suchanek and Margreet Lauwaars for their contribution during fruitful discussions on validation. Presented at the CERMM-3, Central European Reference Materials and Measurements Conference: The function of reference materials in the measurement process, May 30–June 1, 2002, Rogaška Slatina, Slovenia Correspondence to N. Majcen     

The Reliability of Detection Limits in Analytical Chemistry

Abstract

Five guidelines were elucidated to be of importance in improving the reliability of detection limits in analytical chemistry. The necessity of following rigid statistical rules and documentation of the experimental system, the experimental parameters and the entire analytical procedure, is stressed, in order for the detection limits to have any reliability.