Chemistry and research and development activities are closely linked. Innovations arising from these endeavours can be protected by intellectual property rights. Focussing on the interest of the chemical industry, this paper seeks to compare patent generation in Brazil and the United States of America. Based on quantitative and public data on the number of patents and technical articles on intellectual property in the chemical area. This is an exploratory and descriptive study, with bibliographic and documentary data collection method. This study seeks to analyse the differences in obtaining patents between Brazil and the United States. The current situation of the chemical industry and investments in research and development in Brazil, associated with the production of patents. The barriers and difficulties encountered in obtaining patents. Finalising with the perspectives of intellectual property in the Brazilian chemical industry. Verifying the low numbers of intellectual property generated by Brazil, associated with bureaucratic difficulties, the concern with industrial secrecy, and academic research focused on pure scientific knowledge.