Introduction to Analytical chemistry

Analytical chemistry is the science to analyze morphologies, compositions, and quantities of analytical targets. These analytical results have played critical roles from the understanding of basic science to a variety of practical applications, such as biomedical applications, environmental monitoring, quality control of industrial manufacturing, and forensic science, to name a few.

Modern analytical chemistry is dominated by instrumental analysis. There are so many different types of instruments today that it can seem like a confusing array of acronyms rather than a unified field of study. Many analytical chemists focus on a single type of instrument. Academics tend to either focus on new applications and discoveries or on new methods of analysis. An effort to develop a new method might involve the use of a tunable laser to increase the specificity and sensitivity of a spectrometric method. Many methods, once developed, are kept purposely static so that data can be compared over long periods of time. This is particularly true in industrial quality assurance (QA), forensic and environmental applications. Analytical chemistry plays an increasingly important role in the pharmaceutical industry where, aside from QA, it is used in discovery of new drug candidates and in clinical applications where understanding the interactions between the drug and the patient are critical.

Types

Traditionally, analytical chemistry has been split  into two main types, qualitative and quantitative:

Qualitative

Qualitative inorganic analysis seeks to establish the presence of a given element or inorganic compound in a sample.

Qualitative organic analysis seeks to establish the presence of a given functional group or organic compound in a sample.

By Analytical Targets

• Bioanalytical chemistry
• Material analysis
• Chemical analysis
• Environmental analysis
• Forensics

By Analytical Methods

• Spectroscopy
• Mass Spectrometry
• Spectrophotometry and Colorimetry
• Chromatography and Electrophoresis
• Crystallography
• Microscopy
• Electrochemistry

Traditional analytical techniques

• Titration
• Gravimetry
• Inorganic qualitative analysis

Instrumental Analysis

• Spectroscopy
• Mass Spectrometry
• Crystallography
• Electrochemical Analysis
• Thermal Analysis
• Separation
• Hybrid Techniques
• Microscopy

Analytical chemistry research is largely driven by performance (sensitivity, selectivity, robustness, linear range, accuracy, precision, and speed), and cost (purchase, operation, training, time, and space).

Analytical chemistry has played critical roles in the understanding of basic science to a variety of practical applications, such as biomedical applications, environmental monitoring, quality control of industrial manufacturing, forensic science and so on.

Pharmaceutical Analysis plays a very significant role in quality control of pharmaceuticals through a rigid check on raw materials used in manufacturing of formulations and on finished products. It also plays an important role in building up the quality products through in process quality control. Pharmaceutical analysis is the application of principles of analytical chemistry to drug analysis. The analytical chemistry may be defined as the science of developing sensitive, relative and accurate methods for determining the composition of materials in terms of elements or compounds which they contain.

The most important aspect of analysis is quantitative chemical analysis. In the present age, the physical, chemical and biological analysis, Involve computerized techniques to facilitate better result.

Dr.N.Sriram,

Professor & HOD,

Department of Pharmaceutics,

Holy Mary college of Pharmacy,

Hyderabad.