Chimica: nostra vita, nostro futuro
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/7170
In questa nota si sono ricordati alcuni aspetti della chimica che hanno avuto un forte impatto sul futuro dell’umanità. In particolare sono state trattate alcune innovazioni tecnologiche che hanno avuto un forte impatto sull’umanità; si è ricordato il ruolo di diverse industrie chimiche nel restauro di monumenti ed opere d’arte deteriorate, mettendo a punto prodotti chimici per il restauro e finanziando le opere di restauro; infine si sono ricordati i principi etici e i codici di condotta delle diverse società chimiche e dell’organizzazione per la proibizione delle armi chimiche (OPCW) principi fondamentali per un uso corretto dei prodotti chimici.
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1973-9494
7170
en
Ferruccio Trifirò
Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage
restoration
Chemistry: our Life, our Future
Text.Serial.Journal
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/
16
Articles
2017-07-24
2017-07-17
2017-07-24
2017-09-04
197-208
CSCH
Ferruccio Trifirò
2016
10.6092/issn.1973-9494/7170
197
Accademia delle Scienze dell’Istituto di Bologna
1973-9494
restoration
en
208
http://www.aknews.it/letica-della-chimica
Chemistry: our Life, our Future
https://conservation-science.unibo.it/article/download/7170/6899
16
C     HEMISTRY: OUR LIFE, OUR FUTURE

   Ferruccio Trifirò*7
   Accademia delle Scienze dell’Istituto di Bologna
   Bologna, Italy


   Keywords: chemistry, chemical products, innovation, chemical industry, restoration


   1. Introduction

    In this note, we report some innovations in chemistry considered to be important,
as they have changed the world; they include: the discovery of the additive for gaso-
line, tetraethyl lead; the discovery of the first synthetic rubber, the first synthetic fiber
(nylon) and the catalytic converters that remove pollutants from petrol engines. We
also report on the various interventions of the chemical industries in restoring historic
buildings around the world. Finally, mention must be made of the ethical principles
and code of conduct signed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry
(IUPAC, the global agency of chemical companies) and by the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and also signed by the Italian Chemical
Society (SCI).


   2. The Chemistry that has changed the world we live in

    The December issue of the business magazine Forbes Global 2000 reported the




                                                                                                      CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
innovations that from 1917-2000 changed the world, including the chemicals that have
played an important part in our lives [1]. For each year, with a few exceptions, one
innovation was selected from among the total of 85 reported, many of which might
easily have been suggested by any one of us, such as television, the Xerox copier,
the Internet, the transistor, penicillin, the polio vaccine, recombinant DNA technology,
fiber optics. However, there are four, and this can only happily surprise us, that are the
result of chemistry alone.
    The first innovation was the discovery of lead tetraethyl (year 1921), an anti-knock
agent for petrol engines (eliminated from the market only a few years ago), which
enabled the use of a higher compression ratio in the engine, resulting in increased
efficiency. The product was discovered by Thomas Midgley, after a focused five-year
search, using a research methodology of ‘trial and error’.
    The second innovation was that of synthetic rubber (1929) based on chloroprene,
the first synthetic rubber for industrial use and the first to have a commercial success.
It was developed jointly by Newland, a professor at the University of Notre Dame, who
had discovered the synthesis of vinyl acetylene which started as acetylene (he had ob-
served the formation of vinyl acetylene as a by-product), with researchers at Dupont.
In the Dupont research laboratories under the guidance of Carothers, research was

* Corresponding author: ferruccio.trifiro@unibo.it


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                                                 continued with the aim of producing vinyl acetylene, which led to the accidental discov-
                                                 ery of chloroprene, formed by adding HCl to both vinyl acetylene and its subsequent
                                                 polymerization. The elastomer, at first called Duprene, then changed to Neoprene,
                                                 was produced industrially in 1931. In truth, the discovery of the first synthetic rubbers
                                                 (with inferior properties however) was made in Germany in 1910 by Bayer, following
                                                 research conducted on the polymerization of isoprene.
                                                     The third innovation was nylon, one of the first synthetic fibers to be produced
                                                 (1934). The discovery was made in the organic research center base specially cre-
                                                 ated by Dupont. Carothers, director of the laboratories, had been doing some basic
                                                 research since 1928 on polymerization reactions, concentrating on polycondensation
                                                 (between different molecules), unlike Staudinger, a future Nobel Prize in chemistry
                                                 who, in Germany, was studying polyadditions (starting from the same molecule). After
                                                 several years of research on this class of reactions, Carothers came upon the poly-
                                                 condensation of adipic acid with hexamethylene diamine, research which led to the
                                                 discovery of polyamide 6.6.
                                                     Production of the first fiber, known as nylon, started in 1938.
                                                     The most recent innovation was that of the catalytic converter (1974), developed
                                                 by Corning Glass Works where, in three years and with 300 researchers,15 thousand
                                                 different catalysts were tested before arriving at the final result of platinum and pal-
                                                 ladium supported on a ceramic monolith in the form of a honeycomb. The catalyst
                                                 production plant, opened in 1975, was the largest facility in the world built of stain-
                                                 less steel. Over the years the catalyst has become increasingly more complex to
                                                 meet ever more stringent regulations and currently operates under the most extreme
                                                 reaction conditions that can be encountered in a chemical synthesis: low contact
                                                 times and low reactant concentrations, reduction of nitrogen oxides at the same time
                                                 as oxidation of CO and residual hydrocarbons, the need for activity in a broad tem-
                                                 perature range, to avoid slowing down the flow of exhaust gas from the engine and
                                                 increasing the life of the catalyst and so decrease the need to stop for spare parts.
                                                 All these objectives were achieved by assembling various chemical products with
                                                 specific functions.
                                                     If these innovations fail to coincide with the most important discoveries in chemistry,
                                                 it is necessary to consider that the innovations indicated are, according to observers
F. Trifirò - Chemistry: our life, our future




                                                 outside the field of chemistry, those that have most changed the world we live in, even
                                                 if merely from the point of view of habits and commercial impact. Those outside the
                                                 world of chemistry judge chemical products on their behavioral properties and their
                                                 usefulness: this we must accept if we are to bridge the gap between chemistry and
                                                 society. But these behavioral properties can only be studied if scientists are involved in
                                                 the application of the products, which are typically external to the academic world; this
                                                 is the great challenge facing chemistry and these the difficulties in which it is obliged
                                                 to operate. At this point we cannot help but add a fifth innovation: the stereo-specific
                                                 polymerization of propylene, discovered by Natta in 1954 [2], that led to the production
                                                 of polymers with similar properties to natural polymers, among the most widely used
                                                 products of organic chemical synthesis in the world. Besides, with Natta’s discovery, a
                                                 new opening was created for innovation stemming from a deep scientific knowledge in
                                                 the various fields of chemistry, accompanied by detailed knowledge of the problems in
                                                 the chemistry industry. Natta used to say that “when a research topic has a solid sci-
                                                 entific basis and when you are careful about the possible applications of the products
                                                 you are working on, sooner or later there is innovation”.


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  3. Chemical technologies for cultural Heritage

    The chemical industry is involved in cultural heritage conservation and preservation
strategies for the development of optimal technologies, for its dedication in sponsoring
restoration work and for the opportunity to present a chemistry that is easily under-
stood and accepted by all. It is worth highlighting the commitment of several chemical
companies such as Eni, Mapei, 3M, Rhône-Poulenc and Syremont in the recovery,
consolidation and restoration of numerous works of art [2].
    Chemistry has a part in all phases of restoration and conservation of a work of art,
architectural heritage or an ancient artifact, from diagnosis and interventions of stabi-
lization and consolidation to prevent further deterioration, cleaning of damaged and /
or contaminated parts, to restoration of the original aesthetics or functionality. What
is, however, the chemical industry’s specific relationship with technologies involved in
restoring the cultural heritage of a country? Three definite areas can be identified in
which the chemical industry is directly involved. The first, the most natural, is that of
developing new products and technologies for the different phases of restoration. The
second is the opportunity the sponsorship of the restoration of a work of art offers a
company to show their commitment to social issues and the ability to know how to cre-
ate strong links with the territory. The third is the chance a company is given to speak
of its activities in the restoration, to come up with a chemical whose utility is easily
understandable to all.
    There have been several chemical industries in Italy in recent years that have used
their products and / or have offered their services and skills to sponsor restoration
work.
    Rhône-Poulenc (now with the name of Rhodia for the chemical sector and Aventis
for the pharmaceutical sector), has restored the facade of the Palazzo Senatorio (Sen-
ate Palace) at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome [3] and the Galleria Vittorio
Emanuele in Milan [4], employing among other products, ethyl silicate for consolidation




                                                                                                  CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
work, biocides for cleaning operations and silicone-based resins for the final treatment
of all surfaces, all of which are produced by the company.
    Mapei oversaw the consolidation of some damaged structures in the church of San
Francesco in Assisi, following the recent earthquake, using composite materials based
on epoxy resins and aramid fibers [5].
    Syremont, among others worked on the restoration of the frescoes by Masaccio
and Masolino in the Brancacci Chapel in Florence and the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua
by developing formulations based on ion exchange resins for cleaning sulphur com-
pounds (desulfurization) and the removal of limescale and other unwanted layers [6].
It has also followed the restoration of archaeological areas and various monumental
buildings using aggregates, binders and protective agents, in general, based on fluori-
nated compounds. Lastly, Syremont, has taken care of the design and implementation
of the special sophisticated system of conservation and museum exhibition of the Simi-
laun Man Mummy (Ötzi) in the archaeological museum in Bolzano.
    3M has sponsored restoration activities in Pompei by providing its protective film,
and finally Eni, with its own financial and technical resources, has recently cleaned the
façade of St. Peter’s at the Vatican in Rome [7].
    One last aspect regarding the links of the chemical industry with the restoration of
cultural heritage is what was learned in one of the first conferences on Sustainable De-
velopment organized by the Association of European Chemical Industries, held in Par-


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                                                 is several years ago. At the conference, while other representatives from the different
                                                 chemical industries presented the success of their companies in producing processes
                                                 that were safe and clean and products whose use posed no risk to living beings and
                                                 the environment, Rhône-Poulenc’s president chose to speak only about his group’s
                                                 activities in the restoration and conservation of heritage in different parts of the world.
                                                 The French company, in addition to the interventions mentioned in Italy, undertook the
                                                 restoration of a wooden building in the Imperial Citadel of Hue in Vietnam [8], the Taj
                                                 Mahal in India [9], the cathedral of Burgos and old manuscripts in France. The initiative
                                                 of the President of Rhône-Poulenc to speak only of the activities of his company in
                                                 saving European and world cultural heritage must be interpreted as a precise strategic
                                                 choice in wishing to present a chemistry that is positive.
                                                    This is a chemistry that is no longer on the defensive, straining to try to explain that
                                                 chemical production no longer alters the ecosystem, but on the offensive, in other
                                                 words available to explain how it is useful to humanity and how it can help to preserve
                                                 our existing heritage for future generations. In addressing the public it is not enough
                                                 to talk about the sustainability of processes and products, it is necessary to commit
                                                 oneself to explaining the usefulness and non-substitutability of synthetic products for
                                                 society.
                                                    The presentation of the President of the Rhône-Poulenc at this conference was a
                                                 useful example in this direction, just as presenting the involvement of the chemistry
                                                 industry in the field of world heritage restoration and preservation is.


                                                    4. Ethics and chemistry

                                                     Recently, the two organizations, IUPAC and OPCW, have once again presented a
                                                 code of conduct recommending to those involved in the chemistry industry to review
                                                 their code of ethics and / or develop new standards to promote the safe and correct
                                                 use of chemicals in the interest of everyone, the development of science and verifica-
                                                 tion of whether these principles are in accordance with national laws and international
                                                 conventions [10-13].
                                                     It is the responsibility of all chemists, regardless of their field of work, in industry,
F. Trifirò - Chemistry: our life, our future




                                                 academia or government establishments, to assess ethical aspects to prevent the mis-
                                                 use of chemicals which could lead to the production of toxic substances harmful to
                                                 humans, animals and the environment. All chemists have their own ethical principles,
                                                 from which derive codes of conduct and moral codes of responsibility that respect work
                                                 safety procedures and comply with national laws and international conventions.
                                                     In 2006 the Italian Chemical Society (SCI) approved a charter of ethical principles
                                                 for chemical sciences, becoming one of the first chemical companies in the world to
                                                 do so [14, 15]. For SCI members, ethical principles are a binding force, acting as a link
                                                 between procedures, national laws and international conventions and rules of conduct
                                                 in the workplace.
                                                     IUPAC suggests that chemists should guarantee the following ethical principles:
                                                 ensure that their work is ethical and defend the dignity and continuing repute and in-
                                                 tegrity of their profession; ensure that their knowledge and technology may be used for
                                                 the benefit and betterment of humanity and the environment; ensure that their work is
                                                 in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and preservation of the
                                                 earth’s ability to guarantee life in all its diversity; ensure that the chemicals and equip-


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ment used under their responsibility are not used for illegal or destructive purposes or
subsequently cause harm to people or the environment; always inform the competent
authorities if they become aware of any improper use of chemicals, either for criminal
or destructive purposes; minimize risk to workmates and colleagues, to any citizen, to
the environment, with respect to any intended and accidental consequences of their
actions; regularly assess the effects of activities for which they are responsible on
health and safety; that their work complies with national and international regulations
on chemicals; ensure they cooperate with governments and organizations to identify
any shortcomings in safety laws and try to help to improve them; ensure they keep up-
to-date with knowledge on the latest developments in health and environment control,
and chemical risk, and use it to make the public understand the benefits derived from
chemicals, as well as the risks associated with their misuse.
    Finally, it is useful to remember that the code of ethics of the Italian Chemical Soci-
ety [14] ends with the following commitment that every graduate should subscribe to
at the end of his educational curriculum: “I pledge to apply the aims of the chemical
sciences to: safeguard the environment and its ecosystems; improve the quality of
life without harming the surrounding world; to keep in check the misuse of chemistry;
spread knowledge of the advantages and benefits of the chemical sciences in the
public opinion”.


      References

[1]     http://www.forbes.com/global/2002/1223/052.html
[2]     http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom98.htm
[3]     http://archivio.agi.it/articolo/bd58ba4bd226821fcea334d9a185ae4c_19970419_
        campidoglio-restauri-palazzo-dei-conservatori/
[4]     http://www.restauro.it/Realizzazione 7.html




                                                                                                    CONSERVATION SCIENCE IN CULTURAL HERITAGE
[5]     htpps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTz7AFp7Z5c
[6]     www.syremont.it/it/who-we-are/
[7]     http://enistoria.eni.com.it-tempi-moderni/1996.html
[8]     http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hienlam-cac-pavillon-in-the-im-
        perial-city-of-hue-vietnam-is-restored-to-is-former-splendor-78067617.html
[9]     Michael, McCoy, Rhône-Poulenc Foundation to restore monuments in India in
        Chem. Eng. News (1998) 76 (16) p14
[10]    http://www.euchems.eu/divisions/ethics-in-chemistry/
[11]    https://iupac.org/iupac-endorses-the-hague-ethical-guidelines
[12]    http://www.theaic.org/about_ethics.htm
[13]    Pearson G. S.,.Becker E. D., Sydnes L. K. (2011) Why codes of conduct matter
        Chemistry International, 33 (6)
[14]    www.soc.chim.it/it/documenti/carta_dei_principi
[15]    http://www.aknews.it/letica-della-chimica


      Biographical notes

   Prof. Ferruccio Trifirò was born in Barce (Libya) on 17 June 1938. He graduated
in chemical engineering at the Polytechnic of Milan in 1963 under Prof. Giulio Natta


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                                                 (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1963). In 1966 he then went to work in Prague at the Insti-
                                                 tute of Physical Chemistry of the Academy of Sciences of Czechoslovakia. In 1968
                                                 he obtained a scholarship to work at the Department of Chemistry at the University of
                                                 Reading (UK) and in 1974 won a scholarship to study Alexander von Humboldt and
                                                 work at the Institute of Industrial Chemistry of the University of Erlangen (Germany). In
                                                 November 1975 he was appointed professor of Industrial Chemistry at the Faculty of
                                                 Engineering of Cosenza; in November 1976 he was called to Bologna to the Faculty
                                                 chair of Industrial Chemistry. His main research activity was for the most part in the
                                                 field of heterogeneous catalysis applied to the synthesis of the major intermediates
                                                 with oxidation and hydrogenation and to a lesser degree in the field of homogeneous
                                                 catalysis, environmental catalysis and transformation of biomass into raw materials for
                                                 chemistry by gasification. He is the author of 517 scientific publications, 24 patents,
                                                 five books published abroad in English, in the field of oxidation processes; editor of
                                                 8 books, 17 reviews about teaching and has presented 400 communications in con-
                                                 gresses. He is a professor emeritus of the University of Bologna; director of the journal,
                                                 La chimica e l’industria since 1996; president of the Academy of Sciences of the Insti-
                                                 tute of Bologna; scientific member of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical
                                                 Weapons (OPCW) and scientific consultant for Tecnologie Innovative per il Controllo
                                                 Ambientale e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (TICASS), a consortium in Liguria.
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