Definition

pubs.acs.org/doi/book/10.1021/acsreagents

Classical Methods of Analysis

Part 1, Introduction and Definitions
eISBN: 9780841230460
Tom Tyner Chair, ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents
James Francis Secretary, ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents
Downloaded from pubs.acs.org by UNIV OF WINNIPEG on 01/20/19. For personal use only.

ABSTRACT
When the ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents first began its work, one of its missions was to bring order and
comparability of results to reagent analysis. The Committee set specifications and tests according to the principle that
all tests must be performed with procedures that were commonly available to producers and users. Over the years, the
Committee has participated in a definite shift toward instrumental methods of analysis that improve test methods and
suit current laboratory practices. However, the classical methods of chemical analysis, which have been used to
classify chemicals since the days of alchemy, are still very useful to today’s chemists.
ACS Reagent Chemicals

CLASSICAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS

When the ACS Committee on Analytical Reagents first began its work, one of its missions was to bring order and comparability
of results to reagent analysis. The Committee set specifications and tests according to the principle that all tests must be
performed with procedures that were commonly available to producers and users. Over the years, the Committee has
participated in a definite shift toward instrumental methods of analysis that improve test methods and suit current laboratory
practices. However, the classical methods of chemical analysis, which have been used to classify chemicals since the days of
alchemy, are still very useful to today’s chemists.

The classical tests that remain-including gravimetric analysis, volumetric analysis, and physical tests-are generally sufficient
to determine the fitness of a reagent for a particular application. The long and robust heritage of classical tests ensures that
these tests may be performed under a wide variety of conditions with comparable results. They are usually inexpensive to run
compared to instrumental procedures. In addition, the environmental conditions found in many industrial plants are not
conducive to instrumental procedures, so classical tests may be the only viable choice. Moreover, many analysts who use ACS
Reagent Chemicals do not have access to elaborate instrumentation, even in modern industrial sites. Users in developing
nations continue to rely on the classical methods for reasons of both economics and convenience.

Some of the classical tests are physical in nature, such as the tests for clarity of solution, residue after ignition, insoluble
matter, and melting point. These tests are simple and not easily replaced by modern instrumental procedures. The test for
melting point is a good example; it is specific and quite indicative of the purity of a chemical. When a melting point range is
given, the chemical meeting the specification has been shown to be suitable for use in analytical tests where a particular level
of purity is required. In this case, the analytical laboratory needs have led to specifications sufficient to meet those needs.

Many of the assay tests in ACS Reagent Chemicals are gravimetric or volumetric analytical procedures. With these procedures,
the accuracy requirement for the test leads to the use of classical procedures by default because there are few instrumental
procedures with sufficient accuracy and fewer still that are in widespread use. Thus, the classical procedures not only suffice
but also are generally superior to potential instrumental replacements.

The Committee has made an effort to eliminate as many nonspecific classical tests as possible, such as the tests for
“substances not precipitated by […]”, which appeared in previous editions. Moreover, many very specific and sensitive
instrumental tests were added to the Tenth Edition, and the Committee expects to add many more over time. Each
replacement of a classical test entails considerable effort, however, because unexpected complications often arise. Until such

DOI:10.1021/acsreagents.1002
© 2017 American Chemical Society A ACS Reagent Chemicals, Part 1
ACS Reagent Chemicals Definition

pubs.acs.org/doi/book/10.1021/acsreagents

replacements become available, the classical tests will remain in this book for good reasons. They are quite adequate for their
intended purposes, and they are well within the capabilities of a competent analyst.

DOI:10.1021/acsreagents.1002
© 2017 American Chemical Society B ACS Reagent Chemicals, Part 1