Selectivity in Analytical Chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2001)
Highlights from Pure and Applied Chemistry
Selectivity in Analytical Chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2001)
by J. Vessman, R.I. Stefan, J.F. van Staden, K. Danzer, W. Lindner, D.T. Burns, A. Fajgelj, and H. Müller
Pure and Applied Chemistry, Vol. 73, No. 8, pp. 1381-1386 01)
Selectivity is one of the key properties in analytical chemistry. However, definitions within the framework of IUPAC have been rather vague. In the analytical chemical community there has also been an unfortunate overlap between the terms selectivity and specificity, which has been confusing. As a remedy a project was started in the Analytical Chemistry Division within IUPAC in 1999, which was finalized in Brisbane 01.
The resulting document states that the term selectivity has evolved in parallel with the development of more sensitive and discriminating methods and that several kinds of interactions are used in the discrimination process.
Selectivity in a method is obtained by the combination of several selectivity generating steps as exemplified by LC-MS-MS (with separation and detection selectivity) and by arrays of sensors, where computational selectivity is introduced.
Selectivity can be expressed in a qualitative manner in many ways, but most importantly, selectivity is something that can be graded in contrast to specificity, which is absolute. On the other hand, a calculation of degree of selectivity is not easy and many attempts have been made. A calculation approach useful to the practicing analyst is therefore still to be desired.
The IUPAC recommendation 01 states that selectivity should be promoted and specificity discouraged as the latter is incorrect. A method is either specific or not, few, if any methods are specific. From a semantic point of view, the expression that "selectivity is the state or quality of choosing carefully" has been derived.
The recommended definition of Selectivity is: Selectivity refers to the extent to which the method can be used to determine particular analytes in mixtures or matrices without interferences from other components of similar behavior.
<http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac 01/7308/7308x1381.html
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Articles in the same Issue
- Contents
- IUPAC Sails into New Waters
- 2002-2003 IUPAC Officers and Bureau Members
- A museum in northern England makes chemistry a fun learning experience
- Scientific organizations are urged to preserve their historical records
- What hinders the public from appreciating science more? Is the way that science is taught today helping or making it harder for young people to evaluate sciencebased issues?
- Young Observer Programs: Getting New Experts Involved in IUPAC
- IUPAC Divisions and Education: A Case for Joint Projects
- New Paid Affiliate Members Mean More Sponsored Affiliates in Developing Countries
- Whither Green Chemistry?
- Chunli Bai Awarded SCI’s International Medal
- Allen Bard Awarded the ACS’ Priestley Medal
- Thomas Tidwell Receives CCA’s Killam Fellowship
- Evaluated Kinetic Data for Atmospheric Chemistry
- Educating Chemists and the Public About Risk Assessment
- Risk assessment involving chemical use is now mandatory in many countries, and although much has been written about it, there is still no broad agreement on best practices.
- Impact of Scientific Developments on the Chemical Weapons Convention
- Use of Legendre Transforms in Chemical Thermodynamics (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Modeling Lifetime and Degradability of Organic Compounds in Air, Soil, and Water Systems (IUPAC Technical Report)
- Selectivity in Analytical Chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 2001)
- Polymer Networks
- Polymers in Medicine
- Metal and Ammonium Formate Systems
- Actinide Carbon Compounds
- Mycotoxins and Phycotoxins in Perspective at the Turn of the Millennium
- Nomenclature of Organic Compounds. Principles and Practice. 2nd edition
- Plasma Chemistry
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- Web Reviews
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