Book Review

"Practical HPLC Method Development", 2nd Edition by L. R. Snyder, J. J. Kirkland, J. L. Glajch John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, Chichester; 1997. ISBN 0-471-00703-X, Price: s 70.00 / US$ 93.50. The first edition of this book is an acknowledged classic of the HPLC literature, and so an updated edition is to be welcomed. Both the experienced practitioner and novice analyst will benefit from the material presented. The bulk of the contents are bracketed by two chapters that recognise the context of the analyst's job - the answering of specific questions about particular materials. So whilst Chapter 1 focuses on the ways in which sample type and information required influence the degree of separation, resolution, repeatability and ruggedness that the method should deliver, the final chapter addresses validation and method transfer. Short sections on accuracy, precision, linearity, LOD, LOQ, specificity, etc. enable the analyst to judge the suitability of the developed system for the task at hand. Of the intervening 13 chapters, four concern general issues such as basic theory, detection, sample preparation and columns and packings. Subsequently more specialist aspects (non-ionic samples, ionic samples, gradients, reversedphase separations, computer-assisted method development, biochemical samples, chiral, preparative scale and quantitation) are given whole chapters. Although a number of acknowledged collaborators have contributed, uniformity and clarity of style are retained. Overspecialisation is avoided, and throughout the reader is directed to key references for further information. Liberal use of diagrams, figures, flow charts and tables help to clearly summarise much of practical value. The book, which is well indexed, concludes with several appendices on practical matters including properties of HPLC solvents and preparation of buffered mobile phases.

The chapter on reversed-phase method development has the hallmarks of being written by a team that has experienced and thought about the practical problems involved. Likewise the excellent introductory review of chiral separations has a strong practical emphasis. Excellent chapters on the theory and practice of gradient elution and on computer assisted method development, summarise much of the large diversity of material available. Time spent reading a chapter on an unfamiliar field will be well spent because the steps needed to achieve the goals of the separation are always given priority. The book contains some material recognisable from other books by the same authors, but this does not detract from its overall value as a primary information source. However, some equations that might be expected in such a volume are absent or over-simplified, presumably reflecting a deliberate balance between retaining a sufficient basis in theory whilst delivering a strong practical emphasis. Thus the treatment of the van Deemter and Knox equations is too condensed to encourage advantageous manipulation of the experimental parameters. Additionally, two different equations are given for calculation of pressure drops across packed columns. Their relationship to the Kozeny-Carman equation is not indicated, and they also seem to be mutually inconsistent. Finally, a collection of equations used regularly by practising chromatographers could be included with the appendices. In the Preface, the authors note that HPLC "is in a mature stage of development and application" and that "the present book should remain useful and reasonably up-to-date for the next decade or two" Whilst this may be true, we can surely expect that subsequent editions will require chapters on capillary HPLC and capillary electrochromatography in order to reflect the increasing interest in miniaturisation. Overall verdict? - Indispensable. I. M. Mutton

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Chromatographia Vol.47, No. 3/4, February 1998