by William Henry Perkin
First synthetic dye
Launched chemistry from academic to industrial enterprise
German dye companies begin in the 1860s and by 1900 command 90% of the world's dye market.
After WW I, the German dye companies combine to form IG Farben, a giant conglomerate. It disbanded after WW II to reform BASF, Hoescht and Bayer.
Also know as acetylsalicylic acid, at Bayer by Felix Hofmann
By Paul Erlich in cooperation with Hoescht Dyeworks. Successfully treated syphilis bacterial infection. First anti-bacterial drug. It was arsenic based and had some toxic health effects, but was better than the mercury alternative.
Alexander Fleming, in London, notices that a mold prevents bacterial growth.
Gerhard Dogmak working at IG Farben tested protonsil red dye on his daughter. Worked in live organisms despite failing in lab tests, due to biological mechanisms. FIrst of the sulfa drugs. Kills bacteria by preventing the bacteria from synthesizing folic acid -- an essential nutrient. It doesn't affect humans because we eat folic acid.
Crucial part of chemical structure is the 4-member beta-lactam ring. As it opens, it adheres to an enzyme needed to build cell walls. Without the functioning enzyme, the bacteria can not divide to form new cells. It does not affect humans, because we do not have cell walls.
He accidently discovered radioactivity by exposing film to a rock containing Uranium. It ruined his photographic plate, and he decided that Uranium "emited" some type of energy.
Cl2-ahlonine gas was first used. Employed by Germans in Belgium (Battle of Ypres). Directed by Fritz Haber
Lung Irritant: 1st used by Germans. Quickly characterized and used by Allies. Reacted with some amino acids functional groups.
Vesicant: Caused more casualties in WW1 than any other class of compounds. Hitler stopped using it in field battle because it temporarily blinded him. Came by in 1988 by Saddan Hussein.
Refrigerants are used to keep things cool. An ether based compression system for an Australia brewery was discovered
Refrigerants were in high demand so in-home refrigerants were created
The ozone layer has shown to be depleted over the south pole
A multinational agreement to phase out and eventually ban the use of CFC's. The use of CFC's halted in 1996.