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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - Analytical Challenges

We live in the ever-accelerating world accustomed to getting instant answers from Google. In contrast to this, the Analytical Challenge series invites us to pause and think about some analytical problem using the old fashioned paper and pencil method. This column is not here to teach analytical chemistry but to offer glimpses of fundamental problems worth pondering over. Over the last decade the column has featured a rich variety of chemical problems often with touch of cultural relevance. Why does garlic turn blue when left in vinegar, why did Avogadro’s constant suddenly jump in its value during the cold war, and could Cleopatra really have dissolved her pearls to win her bet against Marc Antony? In addition, this column also features ‘serious’ problems with deep-rooted links to fundamental analytical chemistry. There is a variety of examples exploring the value of modern NMR techniques, problems exploring the various quantitation methods in analytical chemistry (standard additions, isotope dilution), or aspects of seemingly simple dilution of samples. We invite the readers not to be shy and spend some time pondering these problems or propose one from your own collection of interesting problems!

Cover imageIn cooperation with Column Editor Juris Meija we would like to invite you to participate in the Analytical Challenge, which is a series of puzzles to entertain and challenge our readers.

The special 'Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry' feature ‘Analytical Challenge’ has established itself as a truly unique quiz series, with a new scientific puzzle published on a quarterly basis.

-> Exciting News: the 100th Analytical Challenge was published in 2020: the Interlaboratory consensus building challenge (this opens in a new tab)


Prize for the lucky winner

Each "Analytical Challenge" provides you with the opportunity to win a prize (a Springer book of your choice up to a value of €100)... Please see below for details on how to participate!

The solution of the puzzles with the names of the lucky winners will be announced here and in one of the forthcoming issues of ABC.

Want to participate?

Check out the CURRENT Analytical Challenge and send us an email with the solution by July 1st, 2024, to abc@springer.com:

A passing spaceship NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

->Congratulations to the winner of the "Bridged bicyclic molecule NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)": Mirsadra Molaei, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. !


Questions/Comments?

Please get in touch with us in case of questions or comments on this Analytical Challenge or the journal 'Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry' in general.


ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2024

Elemental analysis challenge (this opens in a new tab)


ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2023

Bridged bicyclic molecule NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to bridged bicyclic molecule NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Best measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to best measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Wing-giving challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to the wing-giving challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Symmetrical molecule NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to the symmetrical molecule NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)


ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2022

Maigret’s zinc phosphide challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to Maigret’s zinc phosphide challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Arsenic speciation challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to arsenic speciation challenge (this opens in a new tab)

The mutarotation challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to the mutarotation challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Data averaging challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to the data averaging challenge (this opens in a new tab)


ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2021

Isotope delta challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to isotope delta challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Bisphenol A measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to bisphenol A measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Trifluoroacetic acid NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to trifluoroacetic acid NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

“Never odd or even” challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to the “never odd or even” challenge (this opens in a new tab)


ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2020

Gas weighing challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to gas weighing challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Element crossword challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to element crossword challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Interlaboratory consensus building challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to interlaboratory consensus building challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Phosphine NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Solution to Phosphine NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2019
Titration endpoint challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to titration endpoint challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Lead quantitation challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to lead quantitation challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Wheat beer challenge
Solution to wheat beer challenge (this opens in a new tab)

Elemental pub quiz challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to elemental pub quiz challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2018

Collision induced dissociation mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to collision induced dissociation mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Best food reference material challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to best food reference material challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Vitamin B3 mystery challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to vitamin B3 mystery challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Fading lemonade challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to fading lemonade challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2017

Redox titration challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to redox titration challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Measurement uncertainty challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to measurement uncertainty challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Pink tea challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to pink tea challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Through the looking-glass challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to through the looking-glass challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2016

Precision mixology challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to precision mixology challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Mohr’s method challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Mohr’s method challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Phenylbutazone purity challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to phenylbutazone purity challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Hollandaise challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Hollandaise challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Isotope amount ratio measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to isotope amount ratio measurement challenge (this opens in a new tab)
NMR hide-and-seek challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to NMR hide-and-seek challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2015

Left-handed DNA challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the left-handed DNA challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solubility product challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to solubility product challenge (this opens in a new tab)
The highest melting point challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to highest melting point challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Maillard and grilled steak challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Maillard and grilled steak challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Rubbery egg challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to rubbery egg challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Doubling spectroscopy challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to doubling spectroscopy challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2014

Blue garlic challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to blue garlic challenge (this opens in a new tab)
The absinthe challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the absinthe challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Ostwald’s dilution law challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Ostwald’s dilution law challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Osmium density challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the osmium density challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Isotope dilution challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the isotope dilution challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Ariadne’s thread NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the Ariadne’s thread NMR challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2013

The copper pots and jam challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the copper pots and jam challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 11 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 11 (this opens in a new tab)
Certified Reference Material recipe challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Certified Reference Material recipe challenge (this opens in a new tab)
The pycnometer challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the pycnometer challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Papal chemistry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to papal chemistry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Angels’ share challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Angels’ share challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2012

Plato’s elements challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Plato’s elements challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Bavarois challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the Bavarois challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 10 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 10 (this opens in a new tab)
Standard addition challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to standard addition challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Peptide sequencing challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to peptide sequencing challenge (this opens in a new tab)
The Olympic Games challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the Olympic Games challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2011

The green beans challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to green beans challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Nuclear Overhauser effect challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to nuclear Overhauser effect challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Hofmeister effect challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Hofmeister effect challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Radioactive Jeopardy challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to radioactive Jeopardy challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Living cell spectroscopy challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to living cell spectroscopy challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Molality–molarity challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Molality–molarity challenge (this opens in a new tab)
A “little western flower” challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to “little western flower” challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2010

Beryllium valence challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Beryllium valence challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 9 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Quality assurance challenge 9 (this opens in a new tab)
Avogadro constant challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Avogadro constant challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Whipped egg-white challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Whipped egg-white challenge (this opens in a new tab)
The uncooked egg challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Uncooked egg challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Cleopatra’s cocktail challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Cleopatra’s cocktail challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2009

Spectroscopy challenge 14 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 14 (this opens in a new tab)
Random error propagation challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to random error propagation challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 8 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 8 (this opens in a new tab)
Mendeleyev vodka challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Mendeleyev vodka challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 7 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 7 (this opens in a new tab)
Precision weighing challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to precision weighing challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2008

Spectroscopy challenge 13 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 13 (this opens in a new tab)
Standard hydrogen electrode challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to standard hydrogen electrode challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy blog challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy blog challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Nascent hydrogen challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to nascent hydrogen challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Isotopic abundance challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to isotopic abundance challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 6 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 6 (this opens in a new tab)
Birthday chromatography challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the birthday chromatography challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2007

Spectroscopy challenge 12 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 12 (this opens in a new tab)
“Doctrine of Signatures” challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to “Doctrine of Signatures” challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Half-titration challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to half-titration challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 5 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 5 (this opens in a new tab)
A chemical uncertainty principle challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the chemical uncertainty principle challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Neurochemical challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the neurochemical challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2006

Quality assurance challenge 4 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 4 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 11 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 11 (this opens in a new tab)
A geometric chemistry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to geometric chemistry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Goldberg variations challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to Goldberg variations challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 3 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 3 (this opens in a new tab)
DNA sequencing challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to DNA sequencing challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2005

Spectroscopy challenge 10 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 10 (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 2 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to quality assurance challenge 2 (this opens in a new tab)
Mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Quality assurance challenge 1 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to the quality assurance challenge 1 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 9 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 9 (this opens in a new tab)
Informatics and mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to informatics and mass spectrometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2004

Spectroscopy challenge 8 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 8 (this opens in a new tab)
Isotope pattern geometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to isotope pattern geometry challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 7 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 7 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 6 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 6 (this opens in a new tab)
Chemical logic challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to chemical logic (challenge) (this opens in a new tab)
Microfabrication challenge (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to microfabrication challenge (this opens in a new tab)

ANALYTICAL CHALLENGES IN 2003

Spectroscopy challenge 5 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 5 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 4 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 4 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 3 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 3 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 2 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 2 (this opens in a new tab)
Spectroscopy challenge 1 (this opens in a new tab)
Solution to spectroscopy challenge 1 (this opens in a new tab)

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