Radioactive isotopes and enriched stable isotopes are used widely in medicine, agriculture, industry, and science, where their application allows us to perform many tasks more accurately, more simply, less expensively, and more quickly than would otherwise be possible. Indeed, in many casesâ€"for example, biological tracersâ€"there is no alternative. In a stellar example of "technology transfer" that began before the term was popular, the Department of Energy (DOE) and its predecessors has supported the development and application of isotopes and their transfer to the private sector. The DOE is now at an important crossroads: Isotope production has suffered as support for DOE's laboratories has declined. In response to a DOE request, this book is an intensive examination of isotope production and availability, including the education and training of those who will be needed to sustain the flow of radioactive and stable materials from their sources to the laboratories and medical care facilities in which they are used. Chapters include an examination of enriched stable isotopes; reactor and accelerator-produced radionuclides; partnerships among industries, national laboratories, and universities; and national isotope policy.

The use of Compound-specific Stable Isotope Analysis (CSIA) is increasing in many areas of science and technology for source allocation, authentication, and characterization of transformation reactions. Until now, there have been no textbooks available for students with an analytical chemical background or basic introductory books emphasising the instrumentation and theory. This book is the first to focus solely on stable isotope analysis of individual compounds in sometimes complex mixtures. It acts as both a lecture companion for students and a consultant for advanced scientists in fields including forensic and environmental science. The book starts with a brief history of the field before going on to explain stable isotopes from scratch. The different ways to express isotope abundances are introduced together with isotope effects and isotopic fractionation. A detailed account of the required technical equipment and general procedures for CSIA is provided. This includes sections on derivatization and the use of microextraction techniques in GC-IRMS. The very important topic of referencing and calibration in CSIA is clearly described. This differs from approaches used in quantitative analysis and is often difficult for the newcomer to comprehend. Examples of successful applications of CSIA in food authenticity, forensics, archaeology, doping control, environmental science, and extraterrestrial materials are included. Applications in isotope data treatment and presentation are also discussed and emphasis is placed on the general conclusions that can be drawn from the uses of CSIA. Further instrumental developments in the field are highlighted and selected experiments are introduced that may act as a basis for a short practical course at graduate level.

This book highlights new and emerging uses of stable isotope analysis in a variety of ecological disciplines. While the use of natural abundance isotopes in ecological research is now relatively standard, new techniques and ways of interpreting patterns are developing rapidly. The second edition of this book provides a thorough, up-to-date examination of these methods of research. As part of the Ecological Methods and Concepts series which provides the latest information on experimental techniques in ecology, this book looks at a wide range of techniques that use natural abundance isotopes to: follow whole ecosystem element cycling understand processes of soil organic matter formation follow the movement of water in whole watersheds understand the effects of pollution in both terrestrial and aquatic environments study extreme systems such as hydrothermal vents follow migrating organisms In each case, the book explains the background to the methodology, looks at the underlying principles and assumptions, and outlines the potential limitations and pitfalls. Stable Isotopes in Ecology and Environmental Science is an ideal resource for both ecologists who are new to isotopic analysis, and more experienced isotope ecologists interested in innovative techniques and pioneering new uses.

Audouin Dollfus Observatoire de Paris, Section de Meudon, 92195 Meudon, FRfu~CE The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and, in particular, its Department of Scientific Affairs headed by Dr. C. Sinclair, actively supports new fields of science. The recent exploration of the outer parts of the Solar System by spacecraft focused the attention of a large community of scientists on the problem of ices, which playa major role in the accretionary processes in space except for the close neighborhood of the Sun and of other stars. NATO responded to this new interest by agreeing to sponsor an Advanced Research Workshop "Ices in the Solar System", provided a proper organizing body could be set up. It was a pleasure to organize such a workshop jointly with Profes sor Roman Smoluchowski who had earlier organized similar conferences. I knew from the experience of others who managed such meetings in the past that there would be much work, but the opportunity of cooperating with Smoluchowski was very attractive and convinced me to agree. If well organized, the whole project promised to be more than rewarding for a large community of scientists, both in the short run and in the long run, by clarifying certain outstanding questions in astrophysics. It became clear that a well-organized international conference would attract top scientists and help unravel many fundamental problems.

Compounds labeled with carbon-14 and tritium are indispensable tools for research in biomedical sciences, discovery and development of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Preparation of Compounds Labeled with Tritium and Carbon-14 is a comprehensive, authoritative and up-to-date discussion of the strategies, synthetic approaches, reactions techniques, and resources for the preparation of compounds labeled with either of these isotopes. A large number of examples are presented for the use of isotopic sources and building blocks in the preparation of labeled target compounds, illustrating the range of possibilities for embedding isotopic labels in selected moieties of complex structures. Topics include: Formulation of synthetic strategies for preparing labeled compounds Isotope exchange methods and synthetic alternatives for preparing tritiated compounds In-depth discussion of carbon-14 building blocks and their utility in synthesis Preparation of enantiomerically pure isotopically labeled compounds Applications of biotransformations Preparation of Compounds Labeled with Tritium and Carbon-14 is an essential guide to the specialist strategies and tactics used by chemists to prepare compounds tagged with theradioactive atoms carbon-14 and tritium.

This book provides a comprehensive review of the application of 17O NMR spectroscopy to organic chemistry. Topics include the theoretical aspects of chemical shift, quadrupolar and J coupling; 17O enrichment; the effect of steric interactions on 17O chemical shifts of functional groups in flexible and rigid systems; the application of 17O NMR spectroscopy to hydrogen bonding investigations; mechanistic problems in organic and bioorganic chemistry; and 17O NMR spectroscopy of oxygen monocoordinated to carbon in alcohols, ethers, and derivatives. Recent results that show correlations between molecular geometry, determined by X-ray studies and estimated by molecular mechanics calculations, and 17O chemical shifts are also covered. 17O Spectroscopy in Organic Chemistry provides important reference information for organic chemists and other scientists interested in 17O NMR spectroscopy as a tool for obtaining new structural and chemical data about organic molecules.

A solid introduction to stable isotopes that can also be used as an instructive review for more experienced researchers and professionals. The book approaches the use of isotopes from the perspective of ecological and biological research, but its concepts can be applied within other disciplines. A novel, step-by-step spreadsheet modeling approach is also presented for circulating tracers in any ecological system, including any favorite system an ecologist might dream up while sitting at a computer. The author’s humorous and lighthearted style painlessly imparts the principles of isotope ecology. The online material contains color illustrations, spreadsheet models, technical appendices, and problems and answers.

Success in an experimental science such as chemistry depends on good laboratory practice, a knowledge of basic techniques, and the intelligent and careful handling of chemicals. Practical Organic Synthesis is a concise, useful guide to good laboratory practice in the organic chemistry lab with hints and tips on successful organic synthesis. Topics covered include: safety in the laboratory environmentally responsible handling of chemicals and solvents crystallisation distillation chromatographic methods extraction and work-up structure determination by spectroscopic methods searching the chemical literature laboratory notebooks writing a report hints on the synthesis of organic compounds disposal and destruction of dangerous materials drying and purifying solvents Practical Organic Synthesis is based on a successful course in basic organic chemistry laboratory practice which has run for several years at the ETH, Zurich and the University of Berne, and its course book Grundoperationen, now in its sixth edition. Condensing over 30 years of the authors’ organic laboratory teaching experience into one easy-to-read volume, Practical Organic Synthesis is an essential guide for those new to the organic chemistry laboratory, and a handy benchtop guide for practising organic chemists.