Mass spectrometry for chemists and biochemists

Mass spectrometry is a versatile analytical technique in widespread use in industry, laboratories and universities. Its ability to identify and quantify materials quickly and, if necessary, in minute amounts, makes it an ideal method for solving analytical problems in a huge variety of fields, such as chemistry, biochemistry, space research, health, archaeology, forensic science, pharmaceutical chemistry, industrial research, and environmental science.

This book introduces the basis of mass spectrometry, covers the full range of commonly used techniques, and describes a wide variety of applications. The authors adopt an instructional approach and make use of recent examples to illustrate important points.

The second edition updates the first by removing much of the material on older techniques where those methods have been superseded. It includes an impressive and extended range of applications of mass spectrometry that have developed in the last ten years, in particular the analysis of once difficult polar compounds and substances with very large masses such as proteins.

The increased role of computers has been included and powerful methods in which mass spectrometry is combined with newer separation techniques are covered. Sections on ionization and mass analysis of ions have been extended to address these new methods.

The book, requiring no previous knowledge of mass spectrometry, is an ideal teaching text in particular for students of chemistry and biochemistry, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. It will also be of considerable interest to researchers in universities, analytical laboratories and industry because of the wide range of topics covered and the development in depth of the commoner techniques.