Paintings Otto

Polynrethane (PU) was first synthesized in the 1930s by German chemist Otto Bayer (1902-1982), who was trying to prepare a nylonfike fiber. PU is a versatile polymer that is used for rigid and flexible foams, bristles, coatings, fibers, and automobile parts, such as bumpers. Other synthetics are nsed in products such as stretchable fabrics and binders for paints. 

Ethylbenzene [100-41-4] (phenylethane) has a water-clear appearance and characteristic odor. It is miscible with practically all organic solvents, but is insoluble in water. Ethylbenzene is of limited importance as a paints solvent. Its main use is as an industrial starting material for the production of styrene by catalytic dehydrogenation. Catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with air in the presence of heavy-metal oxides yields acetophenone and phenylmethylcarbinol. It also improves the antiknock properties of fuels for Otto engines. 

Otto, J., Pannert, W., and Hald, M. (2003) Detection of Hidden Corrosion under Paint, in Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium, Berlin 2002 (eds R.E. Green, B.B. Djordevic, and M.P. Hentschel), Springer, Berlin, p. 297. 

Psychometric data from this study (Schroeder and Hawk, 1987) have been reviewed above. Sensory conditioning was limited to the passive test due to the age range of the children. Contrary to earlier findings (Otto ei al, 1981, 1982), slow wave voltage did not vary with PbB levels. Differences between the two groups studied, however, may have contributed to the discordant results. Children in the earlier studies were somewhat younger (1 to 6 versus 3 to 7 years) and were exposed by different routes (secondary occupational exposure versus lead paint and contaminated soil) than children in the replication study (see review by Otto, 1985). More recent analyses of these slow wave data and their implications, as well as other results, are discussed by Otto elsewhere in this volume. 

Ammonia plant in Oppau in a painting by Otto Bollhagen (1920). Courtesy of BASF Unternehmensarchiv, Ludwigshafen, Germany. 

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