Multivariate optimization techniques in analytical chemistry - an overview

This review presents fundamentals and a critical evaluation of the multivariate optimization techniques employed by the analytical chemistry. Characteristics of the surface response methodologies (SRM) are shown and compared. Additionally, a bibliographic survey was performed in the web of science database using as keywords names of the chemometric tools utilized for experimental designs. Papers classified in the analytical chemistry area demonstrated that the two-level full factorial design had often been used for preliminary assessment of factors. For determination of critical conditions using quadratic models, the central composite design (CCD) is the technique most utilized by the analytical chemists. Remarks about standardized effects and the Pareto chart, description of the several multiple response functions employed in experimental designs, efficiencies of the SRM's and robustness tests are also discussed.