14
1 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
Box 1.6
Here are some typical examples of shared fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry:
• Spectroscopy lies on the boundary between Physics and Physical Chemistry. Its adaptation
and application to (bio)chemical analysis is the responsibility of Analytica l Chemistry,
which in turn feeds on spectroscopic developments.
• Chemometrics is a subdiscipline that possesses and uses mathematical tools to increase
the amount and quality of the information that can be derived from primary data provided
by analytical instruments.
• Enzymology and immunology, two substantial components of biochemistry. provide the
analytical chemist with highly useful tools to develop modern analytical processes under
highly favourable conditions as regards selectivity.
• Modern (bio)chemical engineering processes are quite applicable on the laboratory scale
provided they are properly adapted and miniaturized to ensure efficient sample treatment. Such is the case with freeze-drying and supercritical fluid extraction.
Analytical Chemistry also possesses intrinsic fundamentals that make it a
distinct scientific and technical entity. These fundamentals arise from the above
tentative and final definitions of Analytical Chemistry and materialize in several
key words that are commented on in the following section and should be its
primary goals.
Both types of fundamentals are compulsory parts of Analytical Chemistry.
The problem arises from the relative prominence that is assigned to each. At
present, emphasis in Analytical Chemistry research and education is being
placed on the shared fundamentals; this supports the view of those who believe
this science possesses no contents of its own. Equally detrimental is placing
undue emphasis on its intrinsic fundamentals and refusing to incorporate,
utilize and adapt scientific and technical developments from other areas. A
position in between the previous two extremes and balanced, flexible emphasis
adjusted to the circumstances in each case, are obviously preferable.
I 1.4.3 Key Words
The definition of Analytical Chemistry, and its shared and intrinsic fundamentals, encompass several basic factors that materialize in different, mutually
related key words (Fig. 1.0). All revolve around information, which relies on the
traceability inherent in a metrological science. A scientific, technical, economic
or social problem raises an analytical problem that calls for an analytical
process in order to produce results that are interpreted in the light of the particular analytical problem with a view to extracting the information required to
solve the problem addressed in the first place.
Figure 1.10 relates the above-mentioned keywords in terms of attributes and
to one another (dashed lines). Quality is primarily related to information and
information relies on traceability (i. e. on the quality of standards and their
proper use). Quality can also be assigned to the analytical process and assessed
1 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
Box 1.6
Here are some typical examples of shared fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry:
• Spectroscopy lies on the boundary between Physics and Physical Chemistry. Its adaptation
and application to (bio)chemical analysis is the responsibility of Analytica l Chemistry,
which in turn feeds on spectroscopic developments.
• Chemometrics is a subdiscipline that possesses and uses mathematical tools to increase
the amount and quality of the information that can be derived from primary data provided
by analytical instruments.
• Enzymology and immunology, two substantial components of biochemistry. provide the
analytical chemist with highly useful tools to develop modern analytical processes under
highly favourable conditions as regards selectivity.
• Modern (bio)chemical engineering processes are quite applicable on the laboratory scale
provided they are properly adapted and miniaturized to ensure efficient sample treatment. Such is the case with freeze-drying and supercritical fluid extraction.
Analytical Chemistry also possesses intrinsic fundamentals that make it a
distinct scientific and technical entity. These fundamentals arise from the above
tentative and final definitions of Analytical Chemistry and materialize in several
key words that are commented on in the following section and should be its
primary goals.
Both types of fundamentals are compulsory parts of Analytical Chemistry.
The problem arises from the relative prominence that is assigned to each. At
present, emphasis in Analytical Chemistry research and education is being
placed on the shared fundamentals; this supports the view of those who believe
this science possesses no contents of its own. Equally detrimental is placing
undue emphasis on its intrinsic fundamentals and refusing to incorporate,
utilize and adapt scientific and technical developments from other areas. A
position in between the previous two extremes and balanced, flexible emphasis
adjusted to the circumstances in each case, are obviously preferable.
I 1.4.3 Key Words
The definition of Analytical Chemistry, and its shared and intrinsic fundamentals, encompass several basic factors that materialize in different, mutually
related key words (Fig. 1.0). All revolve around information, which relies on the
traceability inherent in a metrological science. A scientific, technical, economic
or social problem raises an analytical problem that calls for an analytical
process in order to produce results that are interpreted in the light of the particular analytical problem with a view to extracting the information required to
solve the problem addressed in the first place.
Figure 1.10 relates the above-mentioned keywords in terms of attributes and
to one another (dashed lines). Quality is primarily related to information and
information relies on traceability (i. e. on the quality of standards and their
proper use). Quality can also be assigned to the analytical process and assessed