Germany high-pressure synthesis

Thermal chlorination of methane was first put on an industrial scale by Hoechst in Germany in 1923. At that time, high pressure methanol synthesis from hydrogen and carbon monoxide provided a new source of methanol for production of methyl chloride by reaction with hydrogen chloride. Prior to 1914 attempts were made to estabHsh an industrial process for methanol by hydrolysis of methyl chloride obtained by chlorinating methane. 

The first commercial plant that converted synthesis gas to methanol was built in 1924 in Germany by BASF. It ran at very high pressures (3500—5000 psi) and used a zinc-copper catalyst. In the years since then, further development of catalysts has brought the pressures down, eliminating much of... 

Bosch, Karl. (1874-1940) A German chemist who was the 1931 recipient of the Nobel Prize with Friederick Bergius. In World War I, his catalyst study led to the production of synthetic gasoline. He also worked in the area of chemical high-pressure methods. His research in ammonia synthesis aided in the manufacture of fertilizers and explosives. His doctorate was awarded in Liepzig, Germany. 

The United States is the leader in solid state chemistry. U.S. speakers have 57 percent representation at both the virtual congresses and specialized Gordon Research Conferences. The leaders, particularly in materials synthesis, are France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan U.S. students often choose to pursue postdoctoral studies in materials synthesis in these countries. High-pressure crystal growth facilities, which are critical for research in this subfield, are lacking in the United States, but many exist in Japan and Russia. 

Professor Lechner has a PhD in chemistry from the University of Mainz, Germany. Since 1975 he is Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry of the University of Osnabriick, Germany. His scientific work concentrates on the physics and chemistry of polymers. In this area he is mainly working on the influence of high pressure on polymer systems, polymars fa- c tical storage and waveguides as well as synthesis and properties of superabsof>ers from renewable resources. 

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