MODERN ANALYTICAL

TECHNIQUES
An Introduction
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Analytical chemistryis the branch of
chemistry that focuses on the identification and
quantification of chemical compounds. It is
divided into two major areas:

THE CLASSICAL METHODS AND

THE INSTRUMENTAL METHODS.

CLASSICAL METHODS
Classical methodsare the techniques which are
the fundamentals of laboratory practices.
These are the traditional method of chemical
analysis which is still being used by scientists
even up to this date.
Classical method subdivided into two methods:
Qualitative Method Of Analysis : it is the
determination of the identity of the unknown based
on the criteria provided and the presence or absence
of a material in a sample.
Quantitative Method Of Analysis. Quantitative
method focuses on the determination of the
measurable properties of the unknown.
INSTRUMENTAL METHODS
Instrumental methodsare sometimes coined
as the modern methods of analysis.
The reason is that these analytical techniques
use modern equipments such as computers and
the like.
Examples of instrumental method are the
spectroscopy, chromatography and microscopy.
Classical methods
Classical method is cheaper and easily
available for schools and industry utilization.
It is sometimes called as "wet chemistry"
where there are too many chemical reactions
are used to identify certain compounds.
The classical method consumes more time
than the instrumental analysis.
Instrumental methods
Instrumental method is expensive
because the machines are highly
specialized for a particular
chemical analysis.
Quantitative results are more
precise than the classical
methods.
Experts (and some should be
licensed) are needed to operate
the machines to avoid system
malfunctioning.
 Modern analytical techniques plays an important
role in the production and evaluation of new
products.
The instrumental methods provides lower
detection limits required to assure safe foods,
drugs, water and air
The instrumental methods decreases the labour
and increases precision.
Analytical instrumentation plays an important
role in the production and evaluation of new
products.
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUE ANALYTICAL METHOD

A method is a specific application

A technique is a fundamental scientific of a technique to solve an
phenomenon that has proved usefull for analytical problem.
providing information on the composition of
substances.
Eg: The infra red analysis of
styrene acrylonitrile copolymers
Eg: Infrared spectrophotmetry is an example
is an example of an instrumental

of an analytical technique.
method.
PROCEDURE
A procedure is the written instructions for
carrying out a method. A procedure provides
only a general outline of the steps to be
followed.
Eg: the procedure for IR analysis of styrene
acrylonitrile copolymers involves the
extraction of the residual styrene and
acrylonitrile monomers into CS2.
PROTOCOL
The most specific description of a
method is known as a protocol.
The detailed directions must be
followed, without exception.
Eg: blood alcohol determinations
for legal proceedings.
CLASSIFICATION OF
INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES
Most of the instrumental techniques fit into one
of the three principle areas.
Spectroscopy
Electrochemistry
Chromatography
o A number of existing techniques have been
combined to expand the utility of the component
methods.
o Eg: GC-MS
SPECTROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES
UV and Visible spectrophotometry
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence spectrophotometry

Atomic spectrophotometry (absorption & emission)

IR spectrophotometry

Raman spectroscopy

X-ray spectroscopy

Radiochemical techniques

NMR spectroscopy

ESR spectroscopy
ELECTROCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES
Potentiometry
Voltametry

Amperometry

Coulometry

Electrogravimetry

Conductance techniques

Stripping techniques
CHROMATOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES
Gas chromatography
High performance liquid chromatography

Thin layer chromatography

MISCELLANEOUS TECHNIQUES
Thermal analysis

Mass spectrometry

Kinetic techniques

HYPHENATED TECHNIQUES
GC MS

ICP MS (inductively coupled plasma- mass)

GC IR
MS - MS
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS IN
EVALUATING AN INSTRUMENTAL
METHOD
How the method works: (general theory) the
fundamental physical and chemical principles involved
in the technique and the functions of the instrumental
components.
Advantages and limitations of the method:

quantitative analysis and limitations of the method

including types of samples handled, accuracy, precision
and limits of detection.
Illustrative instrumentation: several systems

representative of the instrument, diagrams , practical

aspects of the method.
Applications: major areas of application of the

method, presentation and interpretation of data, utility

of the method.
 INSTRUMENTS FOR ANALYSIS
An instrument for chemical
analysis converts information
about the physical or chemical
tcharacteristics of the analyte
to information that can be
manipulated and interpreted by
a human.
To retrieve the desired

information from the analyte, it

is necessary to provide a
stimulus, which is usually in
the form of electromagnetic,
electrical, mechanical, or
nuclear energy.
 The stimulus elicits a response from the system
under study whose nature and magnitude are
governed by the fundamental laws of chemistry.
Eg: passing a narrow band of wavelengths of
visible light through a sample to measure the
extent of its absorption by the analyte.
the intensity of the light is determined before
and after its interaction with the sample, and the
ratio of these intensities provides a measure of
the analyte concentration.
 Precision: it is the degree of mutual agreement
among data that have been obtained in the same
way.
Measures of precision include absolute standard

deviation, coefficient of variation, variance etc.

Bias: it is a measure of the systematic or
determinate error of an analytical method.
Sensitivity: A measure of the ability of the
instrument to discriminate between small
diffrences in analyte concentration.
Detection limit: it is the minimum

concentration of analyte that can be detected at a

known confidence level.
 References:
Instrumental analysis by Skoog
Instrumental methods of analysis 7th edition by
Willard.
Hand book of instrumental techniques for analytical
chemistry by frank settle.