The coupling of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry is probably the oldest
hybrid technique in instrumental analysis. The number of articles alone which were
written on each individual technical aspect during the development of the method is
enormous, not to mention articles on its applications. It is therefore to be expected
that there would be a sufficient number of comprehensive and instructive books on
the subject. However, this is not the case. Since the classical text of Bill McFadden
(Techniques of Combined Gas Chromatogruphy/Muss Spectrometry written in 1973),
which is, of course, completely out of date but should still be read for historical interest,
there is nothing which really meets current demands.
This deficit is all the more serious as GUMS has been regarded as a single method
and has been developed as such for some time. Benchtop instruments, which have
been available from many suppliers for several years, can be used in almost all routine
operations and in mobile form even outdoors in the field far away from a laboratory.
A large majority of analysts will probably work with such an instrument at some
point. A comprehensive account of the methods is therefore not only very important,
but also necessary. In addition the number of analyses prescribed by legislation, which
must be carried out using GUMS, is constantly increasing.
Now at last a scientist experienced in the field has taken up the challenge of filling
the gap with the present book. It cannot be easy to find one’s way through the large
quantity of technically relevant information, the complex theoretical aspects and the
large number of important applications in widely varying areas of analytical chemistry.
The presentation needs to tread the difficult path between not being removed
from the practice of the art, while not concentrating so intensively on everyday problems
that it carries within it the seed of its own decay. Another matter of concern
here is that such a text might give rise to prejudice and perhaps also to incorrect practices.
Here also the greatest care is therefore necessary in the choice of words and examples.
However, with the present treatise the author has succeeded in overcoming these
problems. He has prepared a book which is more than just a handbook. It has not only
been written for the practical chemist who needs to consult it in the laboratory, but
also for the analyst who wishes to familiarise himself with any or all the aspects of
GUMS.
The instrumental aspects of sample preparation, gas chromatographic separation
and mass spectrometry are described carefully and comprehensively, including the
most recent developments. A comparison with other common methods of detection is
also included. The particular features of GUMS coupling are then discussed and finally
a large number of selected examples are given, showing how far this method has
penetrated the field of analysis in environmental chemistry and medicine.
After the chapter on sample preparation, in which the versatile possibilities of various
extraction methods are described, injection techniques are discussed. The author
then deals with the important aspects of separation by gas chromatography and gives
the relevant theoretical background and parameters for effecting and optimising it.
The chromatography section ends with a short comparison of different GC detectors.
The book then turns to mass spectrometry, explaining the most important terms
with great clarity and concentrating on the most important aspects. After giving the
strengths and weaknesses of the types of interface still in use today, the role of data
systems in the production, determination and evaluation of data is given in appropriate
detail. Finally the important classes of substance are listed and their analysis described
with all the important practical aspects from separation to the choice of the correct internal
standard. Special emphasis is placed on quantitative determination, showing
that the idea that GUMS coupling is difficult to use for precise quantitative measurements
is no longer justifiable. The opposite is, in fact, the case. Comprehensive quality
assurance is more possible with GUMS because of the higher information content
of the results, compared with classical detectors. Inaccuracies and errors are easier to
find and to avoid than with nonspectrometric GC detectors.
The final chapter contains examples of applications, a large number of which come
from analysts in industry, research institutes and universities. Through its extensive
and precise presentation of the most important parameters and results, this chapter
gives the practical chemist some useful ideas which will make his everyday work
more reliable and successful. Even if a particular application is no longer being used
at some future time, the analyses presented here are so instructive that they will still
be of value for a long period. Finally it should be mentioned that the references have
been set out in such a way that both experienced personnel and beginners can find
hrther details in the most important primary literature.
This book, therefore, fills a long existing gap. It should enable the practical chemist
to compare his procedure for the detection of a substance with others and perhaps to
optimise it, to get stimulation or simply to recognise that the procedure which he is
looking for has been well worked out in a similar form. The beginner will find preliminary
advice on working out his own procedures and clear information on problems
and special cases, besides all the important basic concepts. The book can definitely
be used to teach the use of GUMS, even though the scope, intention and price of this
book do not directly suggest it as a textbook. It certainly contains much important material
of the required quality.
Prof. Michael Linscheid
Humboldt University Berlin
请点击此处下载
收藏
