AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS INC /DE/
S-3/A, 1995-04-17
INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON APRIL 17, 1995
    
 
   
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-57357
    
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 1
    
   
                                       TO
    
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                                    DELAWARE
 
                          (State or other jurisdiction
                       of incorporation or organization)
                                   23-1274455
 
                                (I.R.S. Employer
                              Identification No.)
 
                            7201 HAMILTON BOULEVARD
                       ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 18195-1501
                                 (610) 481-4911
  (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)
 
                              JAMES H. AGGER, ESQ.
                 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
 
                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                            7201 HAMILTON BOULEVARD
                       ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 18195-1501
                                 (610) 481-4911
  (Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
                          code, of agent for service)
 
                                    COPY TO:
                            D. COLLIER KIRKHAM, ESQ.
                            CRAVATH, SWAINE & MOORE
                                Worldwide Plaza
                               825 Eighth Avenue
                            New York, New York 10019
 
        Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
   From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.     / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box.     /X/
                            ------------------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Proposed
                                                      Proposed        maximum
       Title of each class             Amount         maximum        aggregate       Amount of
          of securities                to be       offering price     offering      registration
         to be registered          registered(1)    per unit(2)       price(2)         fee(2)
<S>                               <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debt Securities...................   $400,000,000       100%        $400,000,000      $137,931
</TABLE>
 
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(1) Any offering of Debt Securities denominated in any foreign currencies or
    foreign currency units will be treated as the equivalent in U.S. dollars
    based on the exchange rate applicable to the purchase of such Debt
    Securities of the Registrant.
 
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in
    accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
    The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until this Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
 
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<PAGE>   2
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE 
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE 
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS 
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 17, 1995
    
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
   
(TO PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL    , 1995)
    
 
                                  $400,000,000
 
                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                          MEDIUM-TERM NOTES, SERIES D
                DUE FROM 9 MONTHS TO 20 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
                            ------------------------
    Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (the "Company"), may offer from time to
time up to $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount or its equivalent in foreign
currencies or currency units of its Medium-Term Notes, Series D, Due from 9
Months to 20 Years from Date of Issue (the "Notes"). Each Note will mature on a
Business Day (as defined herein) from 9 months to 20 years from the date of
issue, as selected by the initial purchaser and agreed to by the Company. The
Notes being offered hereby may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in such foreign
currencies or currency units (the "Specified Currency") as may be designated by
the Company in a pricing supplement (the "Pricing Supplement") to this
Prospectus Supplement at the time of the offering. See "Foreign Currency and
Other Risks."
   
    The Notes may be issued as Fixed Rate Notes, which will bear interest at a
fixed rate (which may be zero in the case of certain Notes issued at a price
representing a discount from the principal amount payable at maturity), or as
Floating Rate Notes, which will bear interest at a rate or rates determined by
reference to a Base Rate, as adjusted by the Spread or Spread Multiplier, if
any, each as set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement, or as Currency
Indexed Notes, the principal amount of which payable at maturity or upon earlier
redemption or repayment, and/or the interest payable on each interest payment
date and at maturity, is determined by the difference in the rate of exchange
between the Specified Currency and another currency or currency unit on certain
specified dates, or as Commodity Indexed Notes, the principal amount of which
payable at maturity or upon earlier redemption or repayment, and/or the interest
payable on each interest payment date and at maturity, is determined by the
difference in the price of a specified commodity on certain specified dates. See
"Description of Notes."
    
   
    Each Note will be issued in fully registered form and will be represented by
either a global certificate (a "Book-Entry Note") registered in the name of a
nominee of The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or another depositary (DTC or
such other depositary as is specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement is
herein referred to as the "Depositary"), or a certificate issued in definitive
form (a "Certificated Note"), as set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
Interests in Book-Entry Notes will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be
effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and its
participants. See "Description of Notes -- Book-Entry System." The Notes will be
issued in denominations of $100,000 and any larger amount that is an integral
multiple of $1,000, except as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, or, in the case of Notes denominated in a Specified Currency other
than U.S. dollars, in the denominations described under "Special Provisions
Relating to Multi-Currency Notes -- General."
    
    The interest rate or interest rate formula, issue price, Specified Currency,
stated maturity and redemption and repayment provisions, if any, for each Note,
whether such Note is a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note, whether such
Note is a Currency Indexed Note or Commodity Indexed Note and whether such Note
is a Book-Entry Note or a Certificated Note will be established by the Company
at the date of issuance of such Note and will be set forth in the applicable
Pricing Supplement to this Prospectus Supplement. Interest rates and interest
rate formulae are subject to change by the Company, but no such change will
affect the interest rate on, or interest rate formula for, any Note theretofore
issued or which the Company has agreed to sell. See "Description of Notes."
    Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on
Fixed Rate Notes will be payable on each June 15 and December 15 and at
maturity. Interest on Floating Rate Notes will be payable on the dates indicated
herein and in the applicable Pricing Supplement. See "Description of
Notes -- Interest Rates."
   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
           PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
       SUPPLEMENT, ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT HERETO OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                      
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>               <C>                  <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 PRICE TO            AGENTS'             PROCEEDS TO
                                                PUBLIC(1)        COMMISSIONS(2)         COMPANY(2)(3)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Note....................................        100%          .125% - .625%       99.375% - 99.875%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   $ 500,000 -         $399,500,000 -
Total (4)...................................    $400,000,000       $2,500,000           $397,500,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Unless otherwise indicated in the Pricing Supplement relating thereto, each
    Note will be issued at 100% of its principal amount.
(2) The Company will pay a commission to Lehman Brothers, Lehman Brothers Inc.
    (including its affiliate Lehman Government Securities Inc.) and Goldman,
    Sachs & Co. (each an Agent and collectively the "Agents"), in the form of a
    discount, ranging from .125% to .625% of the principal amount of a Note,
    depending upon its maturity, sold through such Agent. Any Agent, acting as
    principal, may also purchase Notes at a discount for resale to one or more
    investors or one or more broker-dealers (acting as principal for purposes of
    resale) at varying prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of
    resale, as determined by such Agent, or, if so agreed, at a fixed public
    offering price. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
    Supplement, any Note sold to an Agent as principal will be purchased by such
    Agent at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof less a
    percentage equal to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a Note of
    identical maturity. The Company has agreed to indemnify each Agent against
    certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended. In the case of Notes sold directly to purchasers by the Company,
    no commission will be paid.
   
(3) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $335,000.
    
(4) Or the equivalent thereof in other currencies or currency units.
                            ------------------------
    The Notes are being offered on a continuous basis by the Company through the
Agents, each of which has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit
purchases of the Notes. The Company may sell Notes to any Agent, as principal,
for resale to one or more investors or to one or more broker-dealers (acting as
principal for purposes of resale) at varying prices related to prevailing market
prices at the time of resale, as determined by such Agent, or, if so agreed, at
a fixed public offering price. The Company reserves the right to sell Notes
directly to purchasers on its own behalf or to use additional agents to solicit
offers to purchase Notes. The Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange, and there can be no assurance that the Notes will be sold or that
there will be a secondary market for the Notes. The Company reserves the right
to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer made hereby without notice. The Company
or the Agent that solicits any offer to purchase Notes may reject such offer in
whole or in part. See "Plan of Distribution."
                            ------------------------
LEHMAN BROTHERS                                             GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
April   , 1995
<PAGE>   3
 
     This Prospectus Supplement contains brief summaries of certain documents
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. Such summaries are qualified in
their entirety by the detailed information contained in the incorporated
documents.
                            ------------------------
 
                              DESCRIPTION OF NOTES
 
     The following description of the particular terms of the Notes offered
hereby supplements the description of the general terms of the Securities (as
such term is used in the accompanying Prospectus) under the heading "Description
of Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus, to which description reference is
hereby made. Capitalized terms not defined herein or in the Prospectus have the
meanings specified in the Indenture and/or the Notes.
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Notes constitute a single series for purposes of the Indenture and are
limited to an aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 or its equivalent at
the time of issuance in foreign currencies or currency units. The foregoing
limit may be increased by the Company if in the future it determines that it may
wish to sell additional Notes. The Company may from time to time sell additional
series of Securities, including additional series of medium-term notes. The
aggregate principal amount of unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness of the
Company and its consolidated subsidiaries at December 31, 1994, was
$1,411,300,000.
    
 
   
     The Notes will be offered on a continuous basis, and each Note will mature
(the "Maturity Date") on a Business Day from nine months to twenty years from
its date of issuance, as selected by the initial purchaser and agreed to by the
Company. Each Note will be denominated in United States dollars ("$," "dollars"
or "U.S. dollars") or the Specified Currency, as specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement. Each Note may bear interest at either (i) a fixed rate
(which may be zero if issued at a price representing a discount from the
principal amount payable at maturity) or (ii) a floating rate determined by
reference to the Commercial Paper Rate (as defined below), LIBOR, the Treasury
Rate (as defined below) or such other interest rate or formula (the "Base Rate")
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, which may be adjusted by a
Spread and/or a Spread Multiplier (each as defined below).  Each Floating Rate
Note will mature on an Interest Payment Date (as defined below) for such Note.
    
 
     The Notes may be issued as Currency Indexed Notes, the principal amount of
which payable at maturity or upon earlier redemption or repayment, and/or the
interest payable on each Interest Payment Date and at the Maturity Date, will be
determined by the difference in the rate of exchange between the Specified
Currency and another currency or currency unit set forth in the applicable
Pricing Supplement on certain specified dates, or as Commodity Indexed Notes,
the principal amount of which payable at maturity or upon earlier redemption or
repayment, and/or the interest payable on each Interest Payment Date and at the
Maturity Date, will be determined by the difference in the price of a specified
commodity on certain specified dates. See "Currency Indexed Notes" and
"Commodity Indexed Notes."
 
     Each Note will be issued initially as either a Book-Entry Note or a
Certificated Note in fully registered form without coupons. Except as set forth
under "Book-Entry System" below, Book-Entry Notes will not be issuable in
certificated form.
 
     The Notes will be issued in denominations of $100,000 and any larger amount
that is an integral multiple of $1,000 for Notes denominated in U.S. dollars,
except as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, and for
Notes denominated in foreign currencies or currency units, the denominations
described below under "Special Provisions Relating to Multi-Currency Notes." The
Notes will constitute unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company and
will rank pari passu with all other unsecured, unsubordinated indebtedness of
the Company.
 
                                       S-2
<PAGE>   4
 
     The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund and will not be
redeemable at the option of the Company or repayable at the option of the
holders thereof prior to their stated maturity, except as may otherwise be
provided in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company may discharge its
indebtedness and its obligations or certain of its obligations under the
Indenture with respect to the Notes as described under "Description of
Securities -- Defeasance of the Indenture and Securities" in the accompanying
Prospectus.
 
   
     The Pricing Supplement relating to a Note will describe the following terms
as applicable: (1) the Specified Currency of such Note; (2) if other than 100%,
the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof)
at which such Note will be issued; (3) the date on which such Note will be
issued; (4) the Maturity Date; (5) whether such Note may be redeemed or repaid
prior to maturity, and if so, the provisions relating to such redemption or
repayment; (6) whether such Note is a Fixed Rate Note or a Floating Rate Note;
(7) if such Note is a Fixed Rate Note, the rate per annum at which such Note
will bear interest; (8) if such Note is a Floating Rate Note, the Base Rate, the
Initial Interest Rate, the Interest Payment Dates, the Reset Period, the Index
Maturity, the Maximum Interest Rate and the Minimum Interest Rate, if any, and
the Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any (all as defined herein), and any other
terms relating to the particular method of calculating the interest rate or
rates for such Note; (9) whether such Note is a Currency Indexed Note or a
Commodity Indexed Note; (10) if such Note is a Currency Indexed Note, the
Specified Currency, the Indexed Currency, the Face Amount, the Base Exchange
Rate, the Base Interest Rate, if any, the Determination Agent and the Reference
Dealers (all as defined herein) relating to such Currency Indexed Note and
certain other information relating to Currency Indexed Notes; (11) if such Note
is a Commodity Indexed Note, the methods for determining the principal amount
payable at maturity and/or the interest, if any, payable on each Interest
Payment Date and at maturity and other information relating to Commodity Indexed
Notes; (12) whether such Note will be issued initially as a Book-Entry Note or a
Certificated Note; and (13) any other terms of such Note not inconsistent with
the provisions of the Indenture.
    
 
   
     Notes may be issued in the form of Discount Notes (as defined below under
"U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations -- U.S. Holders -- Original Issue
Discount"), including certain Notes offered at a discount from the principal
amount thereof due at the stated maturity of such Notes. There may or may not be
any periodic payments of interest on Discount Notes. In the event of an
acceleration of the maturity of any Discount Note, the amount payable to the
holder of such Discount Note upon such acceleration will be determined in
accordance with the applicable Pricing Supplement and the terms of such
security, but may be an amount less than the amount payable at the maturity of
the principal of such Discount Note. For federal income tax considerations with
respect to Discount Notes, see "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations -- U.S.
Holders -- Original Issue Discount" herein.
    
 
     The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York.
 
   
     References to the "Securities" in the Prospectus include the Notes. For a
further description of the Trustee and the rights attaching to different series
of Securities under the Indenture, including the covenants, modification
provisions and events of default relating to the Notes, see "Description of
Securities" in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, each Note will have the terms described herein.
    
 
     "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is
neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized
or required by law or regulation to close in New York, New York or (i) with
respect to Notes denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars,
the principal financial center of the country of the Specified Currency as
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, (ii) with respect to Notes
denominated in European Currency Units ("ECUs"), Brussels, Belgium or (iii) with
respect to LIBOR Notes, London, England. "London Banking Day" means any day on
which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London
interbank market.
 
                                       S-3
<PAGE>   5
 
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
   
     Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on all Notes will be made in
the applicable Specified Currency, provided that holders of certain Notes
denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars may elect to have
such payments converted to U.S. dollars. See "Special Provisions Relating to
Multi-Currency Notes -- Payment of Principal and Interest." Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest on Certificated Notes
(other than interest paid on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or
repayment) will be paid by mailing a check (from an account at a bank outside of
the United States if such check is payable in a Specified Currency other than
U.S. dollars) to the holders at the address of each holder appearing on the
register for the Notes on the applicable Record Date (as defined below). At the
option of the Company or the holder of Certificated Notes in an aggregate
principal amount exceeding $5.0 million or the equivalent thereof in a Specified
Currency, interest on Certificated Notes (other than interest paid on the
Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment) will be paid by wire
transfer to an account maintained by such holder with a bank located in the
United States for payments in U.S. dollars or the country of the Specified
Currency for other payments (which shall be Belgium in the case of ECUs),
provided that any such holder selecting such option shall have designated such
account by written notice to the Trustee no later than the Record Date preceding
the applicable Interest Payment Date. In the case of a Note issued between a
Record Date and the initial Interest Payment Date relating to such Record Date,
interest for the period ending on such initial Interest Payment Date shall be
paid to the person to whom such Note shall have been originally issued. Payments
of principal and interest on Certificated Notes will be made, if at maturity or
upon earlier redemption, then on the Maturity Date or the date fixed for
redemption, as applicable, upon surrender of the Certificated Notes at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York, and if upon
repayment prior to maturity, then on the applicable date for repayment (the
"Repayment Date"), provided that the holder shall have complied with the
requirements for repayment set forth herein and in the Certificated Notes. See
"Repayment" below. All such payments at maturity or upon any earlier redemption
or repayment shall be made in immediately available funds, provided that the
Certificated Notes to be paid are presented to the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee in The City of New York in time for the Trustee to make such payments in
such funds in accordance with its normal procedures. Any such payments made in a
Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars shall be made by wire transfer to an
account maintained by the holder, as designated by the holder by written notice
to the Trustee at least 15 calendar days prior to the date fixed for payment,
with a bank located in the country of the Specified Currency (which shall be
Belgium in the case of ECUs). Beneficial owners of Book-Entry Notes will be paid
in accordance with the Depositary's and its participants' procedures in effect
from time to time as described under "Book-Entry System" below.
    
 
     Any payment of interest or principal required to be made on an Interest
Payment Date, at the Maturity Date, on a date fixed for redemption or on a
Repayment Date which is not a Business Day need not be made on such day, but may
be made, except as provided below with respect to LIBOR Notes (as defined
below), on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if
made on the Interest Payment Date, at the Maturity Date, on the date fixed for
redemption or on the Repayment Date, as the case may be, and no additional
interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed payment. The Company will pay
any administrative costs imposed by banks in connection with making payments by
wire transfer, but any tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon
payments will be borne by the holders of the Notes in respect of which payments
are made.
 
INTEREST RATES
 
     Interest rates, Base Rates, Spreads and Spread Multipliers are subject to
change by the Company from time to time, but no such change will affect any Note
theretofore issued or which the Company has agreed to sell. Unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the Interest Payment Dates and
the Record Dates for each Fixed Rate Note shall be as described below under
"Fixed Rate Notes." The Interest Payment Dates for each Floating Rate Note shall
be as indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, and unless otherwise
specified in the applicable Pricing Supple-
 
                                       S-4
<PAGE>   6
 
ment, the Record Dates for a Floating Rate Note will be the fifteenth day
(whether or not a Business Day) next preceding each Interest Payment Date.
 
FIXED RATE NOTES
 
   
     Each Fixed Rate Note will bear interest from its date of issue at the
annual rate stated on the face thereof and in the applicable Pricing Supplement
until the principal amount thereof is paid on the Maturity Date, or upon earlier
redemption or repayment, if applicable. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable Pricing Supplement (and except as provided above in "Payment of
Principal and Interest"), the Interest Payment Dates for Fixed Rate Notes will
be June 15 and December 15 of each year, and the Record Dates will be June 1 and
December 1 of each year. Interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be computed and paid
on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
    
 
FLOATING RATE NOTES
 
   
     Each Floating Rate Note will bear interest from its date of issue to the
first Interest Reset Date (as defined below) for such Note at the Initial
Interest Rate (the "Initial Interest Rate") set forth on the face thereof and in
the applicable Pricing Supplement. Thereafter, the interest rate on each
Floating Rate Note for each Reset Period (as defined below) will be equal to the
interest rate calculated by reference to the Base Rate specified on the face
thereof and in the applicable Pricing Supplement plus or minus a fixed
percentage per annum (the "Spread"), if any, or times a fixed factor (the
"Spread Multiplier"), if any, in each case as specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, until the principal thereof is paid on the Maturity Date, or
upon earlier redemption or repayment, if applicable. The Base Rate for a
Floating Rate Note will be (a) the Commercial Paper Rate, in which case such
Note shall be a "Commercial Paper Rate Note," (b) LIBOR, in which case such Note
shall be a "LIBOR Note," (c) the Treasury Rate, in which case such Note shall be
a "Treasury Rate Note" or (d) such other Base Rate, in each case as is specified
on the face of the Floating Rate Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
    
 
     The Company will appoint, and enter into an agreement with, an agent (a
"Calculation Agent") to calculate interest rates on Floating Rate Notes. Unless
otherwise provided in a Pricing Supplement, the Calculation Agent for each
Floating Rate Note will be the Trustee.
 
     The rate of interest on each Floating Rate Note will be reset daily,
weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually (such type of period being
the "Reset Period" for such Note, and the first day of each Reset Period being
an "Interest Reset Date"), as specified on the face thereof and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, the Interest Reset Dates will be: in the case of Floating
Rate Notes that reset daily, each Business Day; in the case of Floating Rate
Notes (other than Treasury Rate Notes) that reset weekly, Wednesday of each
week; in the case of Treasury Rate Notes that reset weekly, Tuesday of each
week; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset monthly, the third Wednesday
of each month; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset quarterly, the
third Wednesday of each March, June, September and December; in the case of
Floating Rate Notes that reset semiannually, the third Wednesday of each of two
months of each year specified on the face thereof and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement; and, in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset annually, the
third Wednesday of one month of each year specified on the face thereof and in
the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that the interest rate in
effect for the ten days immediately prior to the Maturity Date of a Floating
Rate Note, or, with respect to any portion of the principal amount of a Floating
Rate Note to be redeemed or repaid, if applicable, the date of redemption or
Repayment Date, will be that in effect on the tenth day preceding such Maturity
Date or such date of redemption or Repayment Date. If an Interest Reset Date for
a Floating Rate Note would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, the
Interest Reset Date for such Floating Rate Note shall be postponed to the next
day that is a Business Day, except that, in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such
Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date
shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.
 
                                       S-5
<PAGE>   7
 
     The interest rate for each Reset Period will be the rate determined by the
Calculation Agent by reference to an interest determination date pertaining to
such Reset Period. The interest determination date pertaining to a Reset Period
for a Commercial Paper Rate Note (the "Commercial Paper Interest Determination
Date") will be the Business Day prior to the Interest Reset Date that commences
such Reset Period. The interest determination date pertaining to a Reset Period
for a LIBOR Note (the "LIBOR Interest Determination Date") will be the second
London Banking Day prior to the Interest Reset Date that commences such Reset
Period. The interest determination date pertaining to a Reset Period for a
Treasury Rate Note (the "Treasury Interest Determination Date") will be the day
of the week in which the Interest Reset Date that commences such Reset Period
falls on which Treasury bills would normally be auctioned. Treasury bills are
usually sold at auction on Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which case the auction is usually held on the following Tuesday,
except that such auction may be held on the preceding Friday. If, as the result
of a legal holiday, an auction is so held on the preceding Friday, such Friday
will be the Treasury Interest Determination Date pertaining to the Reset Period
commencing in the next succeeding week. If an auction date shall fall on any
Interest Reset Date for a Treasury Rate Note, then such Interest Reset Date
shall instead be the first Business Day immediately following such auction date.
 
     Except as provided below, interest on Floating Rate Notes will be payable,
in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset daily, weekly or monthly, on the
third Wednesday of each month as specified on the face thereof and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset
quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each
year; in the case of Floating Rate Notes that reset semiannually, on the third
Wednesday of each of two months of each year specified on the face thereof and
in the applicable Pricing Supplement; and, in the case of Floating Rate Notes
that reset annually, on the third Wednesday of one month of each year specified
on the face thereof and in the applicable Pricing Supplement (each such day
being an "Interest Payment Date"). If an Interest Payment Date with respect to a
Floating Rate Note would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day,
such Interest Payment Date will be the following day that is a Business Day,
except that, in the case of a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day falls in the next
calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will be the immediately preceding
Business Day.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, each
payment of interest on a Floating Rate Note will include interest accrued to but
excluding the applicable Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that if the
interest rate on such Note resets daily or weekly, interest payable on any
Interest Payment Date, other than interest payable on any date on which
principal for such Note is payable, will include interest accrued to and
including the immediately preceding Record Date. Accrued interest from the date
of issue or from the last date to which interest has been paid is calculated by
multiplying the face amount of a Note by an accrued interest factor. This
accrued interest factor is computed by adding the interest factors calculated
for each day from the date of issue, or from the last date to which interest has
been paid, to the date for which accrued interest is being calculated. The
interest factor (expressed as a decimal rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point (e.g., 9.876541%, or
.09876541, being rounded to 9.87655%, or .0987655, respectively)) for each such
day is computed by dividing the interest rate (expressed as a decimal rounded
upward, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point) applicable to such date by 360, in the case of Commercial Paper Rate
Notes and LIBOR Notes, or by the actual number of days in the year, in the case
of Treasury Rate Notes.
 
     The Calculation Agent will, upon the request of the holder of any Floating
Rate Note, provide the interest rate then in effect and, if determined, the
interest rate that will become effective on the next Interest Reset Date with
respect to such Note.
 
     Any Floating Rate Note may also have either or both of the following: (i) a
maximum numerical interest rate limitation, or ceiling, on the rate of interest
that may accrue during any Reset Period (a "Maximum Interest Rate") and (ii) a
minimum numerical interest rate limitation, or floor, on the rate of interest
that may accrue during any Reset Period (a "Minimum Interest Rate"). The
interest rate on the Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate
permitted by New York law as the same
 
                                       S-6
<PAGE>   8
 
may be modified by United States law of general application. Under present New
York law, the maximum rate of interest is 25% per annum on a simple interest
basis. This limit may not apply to Notes in which $2,500,000 or more has been
invested.
 
     "Index Maturity" is the particular maturity of the type of instrument or
obligation from which a Base Rate is calculated.
 
  Commercial Paper Rate Notes
 
     Each Commercial Paper Rate Note will bear interest for each Reset Period at
the interest rate (calculated with reference to the Commercial Paper Rate on the
Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date for such Reset Period and the
Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any) specified in such Note and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
"Commercial Paper Rate" means, with respect to any Commercial Paper Interest
Determination Date, the Money Market Yield (calculated as described below) of
the rate on that date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity designated
in the applicable Pricing Supplement placed on behalf of industrial issuers
whose corporate bonds are rated "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally
recognized securities rating agency as such rate is made available by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York for such date. In the event that such rate is
not made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York by 3:00 p.m., New
York City time, on such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date, then the
Commercial Paper Rate for such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date
shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be the Money Market Yield
of the arithmetic mean (each as rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) of the offered rates for such
commercial paper quoted as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Commercial
Paper Interest Determination Date by three leading dealers of commercial paper
in The City of New York selected, after consultation with the Company, by the
Calculation Agent; provided, however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid
by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the
Commercial Paper Rate with respect to such Commercial Paper Interest
Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such
Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date.
 
     "Money Market Yield" shall be a yield (expressed as a percentage rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point) calculated in accordance with the following formula:
 

                                      D X 360
           Money Market Yield =    -------------  X 100      
                                   360 - (D X M)  

 
where "D" refers to the per annum rate for the commercial paper, quoted on a
bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated.
 
  LIBOR Notes
 
     Each LIBOR Note will bear interest for each Reset Period at the interest
rate (calculated with reference to LIBOR on the LIBOR Interest Determination
Date for such Reset Period and the Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any)
specified in such Note and in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, LIBOR will
be determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following
provisions:
 
          (i) On each LIBOR Interest Determination Date, LIBOR will be, as
     specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, either: (a) the arithmetic
     mean of the offered rates for deposits having the Index Maturity designated
     in the applicable Pricing Supplement, commencing on the second London
     Business Day immediately following such LIBOR Interest Determination Date,
     that appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time,
     on such LIBOR
 
                                       S-7
<PAGE>   9
 
     Interest Determination Date, if at least two such offered rates appear on
     the Reuters Screen LIBO Page ("LIBOR Reuters"), or (b) the rate for
     deposits having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable Pricing
     Supplement, commencing on the second London Business Day immediately
     following such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, that appears on Telerate
     Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date ("LIBOR Telerate"). "Reuters Screen LIBO Page" means the
     display designated as page "LIBO" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates
     Service (or such other page as may replace page LIBO on that service for
     the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of major banks).
     "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as page "3750" on the
     Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace the 3750 page on that
     service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the
     British Bankers' Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank
     offered rates for deposits). If neither LIBOR Reuters nor LIBOR Telerate is
     specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, LIBOR will be determined as
     if LIBOR Telerate had been specified. If at least two such offered rates
     appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the rate in respect of such LIBOR
     Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such offered
     rates as determined by the Calculation Agent. If fewer than two offered
     rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, or if no rate appears on
     Telerate Page 3750, as applicable, LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR Interest
     Determination Date will be determined as if the parties had specified the
     rate described in (ii) below.
 
          (ii) On any LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer than two
     offered rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, as specified in
     (i)(a) above, or on which no rate appears on Telerate Page 3750, as
     specified in (i)(b) above, as applicable, LIBOR will be determined on the
     basis of the rates at which deposits having the Index Maturity designated
     in the applicable Pricing Supplement are offered at approximately 11:00
     a.m., London time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by four major
     banks in the London interbank market (the "Reference Banks") selected,
     after consultation with the Company, by the Calculation Agent to prime
     banks in the London interbank market having the Index Maturity designated
     in the applicable Pricing Supplement, commencing on the second London
     Banking Day immediately following such LIBOR Interest Determination Date
     and in a principal amount equal to an amount of not less than $1,000,000
     that is representative for a single transaction in such market at such
     time. The Calculation Agent will request the principal London office of
     each of such Reference Banks to provide a quotation of its rate. If at
     least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR
     Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward, if
     necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) of
     such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR in
     respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic
     mean (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth
     of a percentage point) of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., New
     York City time, on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date by three major
     banks in The City of New York selected, after consultation with the
     Company, by the Calculation Agent for loans in U.S. dollars to leading
     European banks having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable
     Pricing Supplement, commencing on the second London Banking Day immediately
     following such LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount
     equal to an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that is representative for a
     single transaction in such market at such time; provided, however, that if
     the banks in The City of New York selected as aforesaid by the Calculation
     Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR with respect to
     such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR in effect on such
     LIBOR Interest Determination Date.
 
  Treasury Rate Notes
 
     Each Treasury Rate Note will bear interest for each Reset Period at the
interest rate (calculated with reference to the Treasury Rate on the Treasury
Interest Determination Date for such Reset Period and the Spread or Spread
Multiplier, if any) specified in such Note and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement.
 
                                       S-8
<PAGE>   10
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, "Treasury
Rate" means, with respect to any Treasury Interest Determination Date, the
auction average rate (expressed as a bond equivalent, rounded upward, if
necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, on the
basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis)
for the most recent auction of direct obligations of the United States
("Treasury bills") having the Index Maturity designated in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, as made available by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In
the event that the results of the auction of Treasury bills having the Index
Maturity designated in the applicable Pricing Supplement are not made available
as provided above by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on such Treasury Interest
Determination Date or no such auction is held in a particular week (or on the
preceding Friday, if applicable), then the Treasury Rate shall be calculated by
the Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond
equivalent, rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth
of a percentage point, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable,
and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid
rates, as of 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such Treasury Interest
Determination Date, of three leading primary U.S. government securities dealers
selected, after consultation with the Company, by the Calculation Agent for the
issue of Treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity
designated in the applicable Pricing Supplement; provided, however, that if the
dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as
mentioned in this sentence, the Treasury Rate with respect to such Treasury
Interest Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such Treasury
Interest Determination Date.
 
CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES
 
  General.
 
     The Company may from time to time offer Notes ("Currency Indexed Notes"),
the principal amount of which payable at the Maturity Date, and/or the interest
payable on each Interest Payment Date and at the Maturity Date, is determined by
the difference in the rate of exchange between the Specified Currency and the
other currency or currency unit specified as the Indexed Currency (the "Indexed
Currency") in the applicable Pricing Supplement on certain specified dates.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, holders of
Currency Indexed Notes (i) will be entitled to receive a principal amount in
respect of such Currency Indexed Notes exceeding the amount designated as the
face amount in respect of such Currency Indexed Notes in the applicable Pricing
Supplement (the "Face Amount") if, at the Maturity Date, the rate at which the
Specified Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency is greater than the
rate of such exchange designated as the Base Exchange Rate, expressed in units
of the Indexed Currency per one unit of the Specified Currency, in the
applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Base Exchange Rate"), and will be entitled
to receive a principal amount in respect of such Currency Indexed Notes less
than the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Notes, if, at the Maturity Date,
the rate at which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed
Currency is less than such Base Exchange Rate and/or (ii) will be entitled to
receive an amount of interest on each Interest Payment Date and/or at the
Maturity Date at an interest rate greater than the base interest rate of such
Currency Indexed Note as designated in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the
"Base Interest Rate") if, on such Interest Payment Date and/or at the Maturity
Date, as the case may be, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be
exchanged into the Indexed Currency is greater than the Base Exchange Rate, and
will be entitled to receive an amount of interest on each Interest Payment Date
and/or at the Maturity Date at an interest rate less than the Base Interest Rate
if, on such Interest Payment Date and/or at the Maturity Date, as the case may
be, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be exchanged into the Indexed
Currency is less than the Base Exchange Rate, in each case determined as
described below under "Payment of Principal and Interest." Information as to the
relative historical value of the applicable Specified Currency against the
applicable Indexed Currency, any exchange controls applicable to such Specified
Currency or Indexed Currency and the tax consequences to holders will be set
forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement. See "Foreign Currency and Other
Risks."
 
                                       S-9
<PAGE>   11
 
   
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the term
"Exchange Rate Day" shall mean any day which is a Business Day in The City of
New York and, (i) if the Specified Currency or Indexed Currency is any currency
or currency unit other than the U.S. dollar or the ECU, a Business Day in the
principal financial center of the country of such Specified Currency or Indexed
Currency, or (ii) in the case of an ECU, a day which is not a non-ECU clearing
day as determined by the ECU Banking Association in Paris.
    
 
  Payment of Principal and Interest.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, principal
of a Currency Indexed Note will be payable by the Company in the Specified
Currency at the Maturity Date in an amount equal to the Face Amount of the
Currency Indexed Note, plus or minus an amount determined by the determination
agent specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement (the "Determination Agent")
by reference to the difference between the Base Exchange Rate and the rate at
which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency as
determined on the second Exchange Rate Day (the "Determination Date") prior to
the Maturity Date of such Currency Indexed Note by the Determination Agent based
upon the arithmetic mean of the open market spot offer quotations for the
Indexed Currency obtained by the Determination Agent from the Reference Dealers
(as defined below) in The City of New York at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on
the Determination Date, for an amount of Indexed Currency equal to the Face
Amount of such Currency Indexed Note multiplied by the Base Exchange Rate, for
settlement on the Maturity Date (such rate of exchange, as so determined and
expressed in units of the Indexed Currency per one unit of the Specified
Currency, is hereafter referred to as the "Spot Rate"). If such quotations from
the Reference Dealers are not available on the Determination Date due to
circumstances beyond the control of the Company or the Determination Agent, the
Spot Rate will be determined on the basis of the most recently available
quotations from the Reference Dealers. The principal amount of the Currency
Indexed Notes determined by the Determination Agent to be payable at the
Maturity Date will be payable to the holders thereof in the manner set forth
herein and in the applicable Pricing Supplement. As used herein, the term
"Reference Dealers" shall mean the three banks or firms specified as such in the
applicable Pricing Supplement or, if any of them shall be unwilling or unable to
provide the requested quotations, such other major money center bank or banks in
The City of New York selected by the Company, in consultation with the
Determination Agent, to act as Reference Dealer or Reference Dealers in
replacement therefor. In the absence of manifest error, the determination by the
Determination Agent of the Spot Rate and the principal amount of Currency
Indexed Notes payable at the Maturity Date thereof shall be final and binding on
the Company and the holders of such Currency Indexed Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on the
basis of the aforesaid determination by the Determination Agent and the formulae
and limitations set forth below, (i) if the Base Exchange Rate equals the Spot
Rate for any Currency Indexed Note, then the principal amount of such Currency
Indexed Note Payable at the Maturity Date will be equal to the Face Amount of
such Currency Indexed Note; (ii) if the Spot Rate exceeds the Base Exchange Rate
(i.e., the Specified Currency has appreciated against the Indexed Currency
during the term of the Currency Indexed Note), then the principal amount so
payable will be greater than the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Note up to
an amount equal to twice the Face Amount of such Currency Indexed Note; (iii) if
the Spot Rate is less than the Base Exchange Rate (i.e., the Specified Currency
has depreciated against the Indexed Currency during the term of the Currency
Indexed Note) but is greater than one-half of the Base Exchange Rate, then the
principal amount so payable will be less than the Face Amount of such Currency
Indexed Note; and (iv) if the Spot Rate is less than or equal to one-half of the
Base Exchange Rate, then the Spot Rate will be deemed to be one-half of the Base
Exchange Rate and no principal amount of the Currency Indexed Note will be
payable at the Maturity Date.
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>   12
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, the
formulae to be used by the Determination Agent to determine the principal amount
of a Currency Indexed Note payable at the Maturity Date will be as follows:
 
     If the Spot Rate exceeds or equals the Base Exchange Rate, the principal
amount of a Currency Indexed Note payable at the Maturity Date shall equal:
 
                                        Spot Rate -- Base Exchange Rate
   Face Amount +    (  Face Amount X    -------------------------------   ).
                                                 Spot Rate                
 
     If the Base Exchange Rate exceeds the Spot Rate, the principal amount of a
Currency Indexed Note payable at the Maturity Date (which shall, in no event, be
less than zero) shall equal:
 
                                        Base Exchange Rate -- Spot Rate
   Face Amount -    (  Face Amount X    -------------------------------   ).
                                                   Spot Rate                
 
     If the formulae set forth above are applicable to a Currency Indexed Note,
the maximum principal amount payable at the Maturity Date in respect of such a
Currency Indexed Note would be an amount equal to twice the Face Amount and the
minimum principal amount payable would be zero.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, interest
will be payable by the Company in the Specified Currency based on the Face
Amount of the Currency Indexed Notes, and such interest will be payable at the
rate and times and in the manner set forth herein and in the applicable Pricing
Supplement. In the event that the applicable Pricing Supplement specifies that
interest on the Currency Indexed Notes will be determined by reference to the
Indexed Currency and unless otherwise specified in such Pricing Supplement,
interest will be payable by the Company in the Specified Currency on each
Interest Payment Date and at the Maturity Date at a rate per annum equal to the
Base Interest Rate specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement multiplied by
an Interest Index Factor. The "Interest Index Factor" shall be an amount
determined by the Determination Agent by reference to the following formula:
 
                               Interest Spot Rate
                               ------------------
                               Base Exchange Rate
 
where, "Interest Spot Rate" is (i) if at an Interest Payment Date, the rate at
which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency as
determined on the second Exchange Rate Day prior to such Interest Payment Date
(the "Interest Determination Date") by the Determination Agent in the manner
specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on such Interest Determination
Date, or (ii) if at the Maturity Date, the Spot Rate. The amount of interest
determined by the Determination Agent to be payable on any Interest Payment Date
and at the Maturity Date in respect of the Currency Indexed Notes will be
payable to the holders thereof in the manner set forth herein and in the
applicable Pricing Supplement. In the absence of manifest error, the
determination by the Determination Agent of the Interest Index Factor, the
Interest Spot Rate on each Interest Payment Date, the interest payments payable
and the Spot Rate at the Maturity Date on the Currency Indexed Notes shall be
final and binding on the Company and the holders of such Currency Indexed Notes.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, on the
basis of the aforesaid determinations by the Determination Agent, (i) if the
Base Exchange Rate equals the Interest Spot Rate on any Interest Determination
Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination Date for any Currency Indexed Note,
then the amount of interest payable in respect of such Currency Indexed Note on
the applicable Interest Payment Date or at the Maturity Date, as the case may
be, would reflect an interest rate equal to the Base Interest Rate of such
Currency Indexed Note; (ii) if the Interest Spot Rate on any Interest
Determination Date or the Spot Rate on the Determination Date exceeds the Base
Exchange Rate (i.e., the Specified Currency has appreciated against the Indexed
Currency during the term of the Currency Indexed Note), then the amount of
interest so payable would reflect an interest rate greater than the Base
Interest Rate of such Currency Indexed Note; and (iii) if the Interest Spot Rate
on any Interest Determination Date or the Spot Rate on the
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>   13
 
Determination Date is less than the Base Exchange Rate (i.e., the Specified
Currency has depreciated against the Indexed Currency during the term of the
Currency Indexed Note), then the amount of interest so payable would reflect an
interest rate less than the Base Interest Rate of such Currency Indexed Note.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, in the
event of any redemption or repayment of a Currency Indexed Note prior to its
Maturity Date, the term "Maturity Date" used above would refer to the redemption
or repayment date of such Currency Indexed Note.
 
     PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS
AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES. SUCH
CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE
UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. SEE "FOREIGN
CURRENCY AND OTHER RISKS."
 
COMMODITY INDEXED NOTES
 
     The Pricing Supplement relating to a Commodity Indexed Note will set forth
the method by which the amount of interest payable on an Interest Payment Date
and the amount of interest and principal payable at the Maturity Date in respect
of such Commodity Indexed Note will be determined, a description of certain tax
consequences to holders of Commodity Indexed Notes, a description of certain
risks associated with investments in Commodity Indexed Notes and other
information relating to such Commodity Indexed Notes.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     The Notes will not be subject to redemption through the operation of a
sinking fund, but each Note may be redeemed at the option of the Company at any
time on and after the date, if any, specified at the time of sale and set forth
in the applicable Pricing Supplement and on the face of such Note. A Note will
not be redeemable if no such date is set forth on such Note. On and after such
date, if any, such Note will be redeemable in whole or from time to time in part
on notice mailed not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the date of
redemption at a redemption price set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement,
together with interest accrued thereon to the date of redemption.
 
REPAYMENT
 
     The Pricing Supplement relating to each Note will indicate either that such
Note cannot be repaid prior to maturity or that such Note will be repayable at
the option of the holder prior to maturity on the Repayment Date or Repayment
Dates, if any, specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement and on the face of
such Note. A Note will not be repayable if no such Repayment Date is set forth
on such Note. On such Repayment Date or Repayment Dates, if any, such Note will
be repayable in whole or from time to time in part at a price set forth in the
applicable Pricing Supplement, together with interest accrued on such portion to
the date of repayment.
 
     In order for a Note to be repaid, the Company must receive at the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
during the period from and including the first day of the Repayment Option
Period set forth on the face of such Note for such Repayment Date to and
including the close of business on the last day of such Repayment Option Period
(or if such day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day): (i)
the Note with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse of
the Note duly completed, or (ii) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter from a member of a national securities exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or a trust company
in the United States of America, dated no later than the last day of such
Repayment Option Period (or if such day is not a business day, the next
succeeding business day) setting forth the name of the holder of the Note, the
principal amount of the Note, the portion of the principal amount of the Note to
be repaid, a statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised
thereby and a guarantee that the Note to be repaid in whole or in part (with the
form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse of the Note duly
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>   14
 
completed) will be received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, not later than five business days
after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter and
such Note and form duly completed must be received at the Corporate Trust Office
of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, by such fifth
business day. Effective exercise of any repayment option by the holder of any
Note shall be irrevocable. No transfer or exchange of any Note (or, in the event
that any Note is to be repaid in part, such portion of the Note to be repaid)
will be permitted after exercise of a repayment option. A repayment option may
be exercised by the holder of a Note for less than the entire principal amount
of the Note, provided that the principal amount which is to be repaid is equal
to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof for Notes denominated in U.S. dollars
or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency or any integral multiple thereof for
Notes denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars. All questions
as to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of
any Note for repayment will be determined by the Company, whose determination
will be final, binding and non-appealable. For purposes of this provision,
"business day" means any day other than Saturday and Sunday or a legal holiday
or any day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or
required by law or regulation to close.
 
     If a Note is represented by a Global Security (as defined below), the
Depositary's nominee will be the holder of such Note and, therefore, will be the
only entity that can exercise a right to repayment. In order to ensure that the
Depositary's nominee will timely exercise a right to repayment with respect to a
particular Note, the beneficial owner of such Note must instruct the broker or
other direct or indirect participant through which it holds an interest in such
Note to notify the Depositary of its desire to exercise a right to repayment.
Different firms have different cut-off times for accepting instructions from
their customers, and, accordingly, each beneficial owner should consult the
broker or other direct or indirect participant through which it holds an
interest in a Note in order to ascertain the cut-off time by which such an
instruction must be given in order for timely notice to be delivered to the
Depositary.
 
BOOK-ENTRY SYSTEM
 
     Upon issuance, all Book-Entry Notes having the same Specified Currency,
Original Issue Date, Maturity Date, reset, extension, redemption and repayment
provisions, Interest Payment Dates, Record Dates, and, in the case of Fixed Rate
Notes, interest rate, or, in the case of Floating Rate Notes, Base Rate, Initial
Interest Rate, Index Maturity, Reset Period, Interest Payment Dates, Spread or
Spread Multiplier, if any, Maximum Interest Rate, if any, and Minimum Interest
Rate, if any, and in the case of Fixed Rate Notes or Floating Rate Notes that
are also Currency Indexed Notes, Specified Currency, Indexed Currency and Base
Exchange Rate, or that are also Commodity Indexed Notes, the same comparable
terms, will be represented by a single global security (a "Global Security").
Each Global Security representing Book-Entry Notes will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, DTC or such other Depositary as is specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
Book-Entry Notes will not be exchangeable for Certificated Notes at the option
of the holder and, except as set forth below, will not otherwise be issuable in
definitive form. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, DTC will be the Depositary. DTC currently only accepts Notes that
are denominated in U.S. dollars.
 
     DTC has advised the Company and the Agents as follows: DTC is a
limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a
"banking organization" within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of
the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant
to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC was
created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance
and settlement of securities transactions among its participants in such
securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities
certificates. DTC's participants include securities brokers and dealers
(including the Agents), banks, trust companies,
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>   15
 
clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or
their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also
available to others, such as securities brokers and dealers, banks, and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a
participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
   
     Upon the issuance by the Company of Book-Entry Notes represented by a
Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the Book-Entry Notes
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of institutions that have
accounts with the Depositary ("participants"). The accounts to be credited shall
be designated by the agents or underwriters of such Book-Entry Notes or by the
Company if such Book-Entry Notes are offered and sold directly by the Company.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
participants or persons that hold interests through participants. Ownership of
beneficial interests in Book-Entry Notes represented by a Global Security will
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to interests of participants
in the Depositary), or by participants in the Depositary or persons that may
hold interests through such participants (with respect to persons other than
participants in the Depositary). The laws of some states require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive
form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.
    
 
     So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of the Global Security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Book-Entry Notes
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Book-Entry Notes
represented by a Global Security will not be entitled to have Book-Entry Notes
represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive
or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Book-Entry Notes in definitive
form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the
Indenture. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for individual
certificates evidencing the Book-Entry Notes represented thereby, a Global
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
Global Security to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such
Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by the
Depositary or any nominee to a successor Depositary or any nominee of such
successor.
 
     Payments of principal of and interest, if any, on the Book-Entry Notes
represented by a Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or its
nominee will be made by the Company through the Trustee to the Depositary or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security.
Neither the Company, the Trustee nor the registrar for the Notes will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
 
     The Company has been advised that the Depositary, upon receipt of any
payment of principal of or interest on a Global Security, will credit
immediately the accounts of the related participants with payment in amounts
proportionate to their respective holdings in principal amount of beneficial
interest in such Global Security as shown on the records of the Depositary. The
Company expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests
in a Global Security will be governed by standing customer instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." Such payments will be
the responsibility of such participants.
 
     If the Depositary with respect to any Global Security or Global Securities
is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor
Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue Certificated Notes in exchange for the Book-Entry Notes represented by
such Global Security or Global Securities. In addition, the Company may at any
time
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>   16
 
and in its sole discretion determine not to have Global Securities, and, in such
event, will issue Certificated Notes in exchange for the Book-Entry Notes
represented by such Global Securities.
 
              SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO MULTI-CURRENCY NOTES
 
GENERAL
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, if any
Notes are to be denominated in U.S. dollars, payments of principal of and
interest on such Notes will be made in U.S. dollars. If any of the Notes are to
be denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars ("Multi-Currency
Notes"), the following provisions shall apply which are in addition to, and to
the extent inconsistent therewith replace, the description of the general terms
and provisions of Notes set forth in the accompanying Prospectus and elsewhere
in this Prospectus Supplement.
 
   
     The authorized denominations of Multi-Currency Notes will be the amounts of
the Specified Currency for such Notes that are equivalent, at the Exchange Rate
(as defined below) for purchases of such Specified Currency on the Business Day
immediately preceding the trade date for such Notes, to $100,000 (rounded down
to an integral multiple of 10,000 units of such Specified Currency), and any
larger amount that is an integral multiple of 10,000 units of such Specified
Currency, except as otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
    
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, payment of
the purchase price of Multi-Currency Notes will be made in immediately available
funds.
 
CURRENCY EXCHANGE
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement, purchasers
are required to pay for Multi-Currency Notes in the Specified Currency. At the
present time, there are limited facilities in the United States for conversion
of U.S. dollars into foreign currencies or currency units, and vice versa, and
it is believed that only a limited number of U.S. banks offer foreign currency
checking or savings facilities in the United States. However, if requested by a
purchaser at the time an offer to purchase an applicable Note is made to an
Agent (or by such other day as such Agent may determine), such Agent will
arrange for the conversion of U.S. dollars into the applicable Specified
Currency to enable the purchaser to pay for such Multi-Currency Note. Each such
conversion will be made by the Agents on such terms and subject to such
conditions, limitations and charges as the Agents may from time to time
establish in accordance with their regular foreign exchange practices. All costs
of exchange will be borne by the purchasers of the Multi-Currency Notes.
 
     Specific information about the foreign currency or currency units in which
a particular Multi-Currency Note is denominated, including historical exchange
rates and a description of the currency or currency units and any exchange
controls, will be set forth in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
 
PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
 
     Principal and interest, if any, on Multi-Currency Notes will be paid by the
Company in the Specified Currency. If so specified in the applicable Pricing
Supplement, at the request of a holder of a Multi-Currency Note, payments of
principal and interest in respect of such Note shall be paid in U.S. dollars.
Under such circumstances, the Company would be required to tender payment in
U.S. dollars at the Exchange Rate, and any costs associated with such conversion
would be borne by such holder through deduction from such payments. In such
case, a holder may elect to receive payments in U.S. dollars by delivering a
written request to the Trustee not later than the Record Date immediately
preceding the applicable payment date. Such election will remain in effect until
notice to the Trustee, but written notice of any such revocation must be
received by the Trustee not later than the Record Date immediately preceding the
next Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day preceding the Maturity Date, as
the case may be. Upon request, the Trustee will mail a copy of a form of request
to any holder.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>   17
 
OUTSTANDING MULTI-CURRENCY NOTES
 
     For purposes of calculating the principal amount of any Multi-Currency Note
payable in a Specified Currency which is outstanding under the Indenture for
purposes of determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of
outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent or waiver under such Indenture or whether a quorum is present at
a meeting of holders of Securities, the principal amount of such Multi-Currency
Note at any time outstanding shall be deemed to be the U.S. dollar equivalent,
determined as of the date of the original issuance of such Multi-Currency Note,
of the principal amount of such Multi-Currency Note. Unless otherwise indicated
in the applicable Pricing Supplement, whenever the Indenture provides for any
distribution to holders, any amount in respect of any Multi-Currency Note shall
be treated for any such distribution as that amount of U.S. dollars that could
be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange as the Company
may specify.
 
PAYMENT CURRENCY
 
     If the principal of, or interest on, any Note is payable in a Specified
Currency that is not available to the Company for making payments thereof due to
the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of
the Company, the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to holders
of the Notes by making such payment in U.S. dollars on the basis of the Exchange
Rate on the second Business Day preceding the Interest Payment Date or the
second Business Day preceding the maturity of an installment of principal, as
the case may be (or, if no rate is quoted for such Specified Currency on such
date, the last date such rate is quoted). Any payment made under such
circumstances in U.S. dollars where the required payment is in a Specified
Currency other than U.S. dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under
the Indenture.
 
     "Exchange Rate" means (a) with respect to U.S. dollars in which payment is
to be made on Multi-Currency Notes denominated in a composite currency unit, the
exchange rate between U.S. dollars and such composite currency unit reported by
the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite
currency unit or by the Council of the European Communities (in the case of ECU,
whose reports are currently based on the rates in effect at 2:30 p.m., Brussels
time, on the relevant exchange markets), as appropriate, on the applicable
Record Date with respect to an Interest Payment Date or the fifteenth day
immediately preceding the maturity of an installment of principal, or on such
other date provided in the Indenture, as the case may be; (b) with respect to
U.S. dollars in which payment is to be made on Multi-Currency Notes denominated
in a foreign currency, the noon U.S. dollar buying rate for that currency for
cable transfers quoted by the Exchange Rate Agent in The City of New York
designated by the Company on the Record Date with respect to an Interest Payment
Date or the fifteenth day immediately preceding the maturity of an installment
of principal, or on such other date provided therefor, as the case may be, as
certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; and (c)
with respect to a Specified Currency other than U.S. dollars in which payment is
to be made on Multi-Currency Notes converted into U.S. dollars pursuant to the
Indenture as described above under "Payment Currency," the noon U.S. dollar
selling rate for that currency for cable transfers quoted by the Exchange Rate
Agent in The City of New York on the second Business Day preceding the
applicable Interest Payment Date or the second Business Day preceding the
maturity of an installment of principal, as the case may be, as certified for
customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. If for any reason such
rates are not available with respect to one or more currencies for which an
Exchange Rate is required, the Company shall use such quotation of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations
from one or more commercial banks in The City of New York or in the country of
issue of the currency in question, or such other quotations as the Company, in
each case, shall deem appropriate. If there is more than one market for dealing
in any currency by reason of foreign exchange regulations or otherwise, the
market to be used in respect of such currency shall be the largest market upon
which a nonresident issuer of securities designated in such currency would
purchase such currency in order to make payments in respect of such securities.
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>   18
 
                        FOREIGN CURRENCY AND OTHER RISKS
EXCHANGE RATES
 
   
     An investment in Multi-Currency Notes entails significant risks that are
not associated with a similar investment in a security denominated in U.S.
dollars. Similarly, an investment in a Currency Indexed Note entails significant
risks that are not associated with a similar investment in non-Currency Indexed
Notes. Such risks include, without limitation, the possibility of significant
changes in rates of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the Specified Currency
(and, in the case of Currency Indexed Notes, the rate of exchange between the
Specified Currency and the Indexed Currency for such Currency Indexed Note) and
the possibility of the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls
by either the United States or foreign governments. Such risks generally depend
on economic, financial, political and military events over which the Company has
no control. To the extent the rate is not fixed by sovereign governments, the
exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies or currency units
is at any moment a result of the supply of and demand for such currencies or
currency units, and changes in the rate result over time from the interaction of
many factors, among which are rates of inflation, interest rate levels, balances
of payments and the extent of governmental surpluses or deficits in the
countries of the relevant currencies. These factors are in turn sensitive to the
monetary, fiscal and trade policies pursued by such governments and those of
other countries important to international trade and finance. In recent years,
rates of exchange between the U.S. dollar and certain foreign currencies have
been highly volatile and such volatility may be expected in the future.
Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have occurred in the past are
not necessarily indicative, however, of fluctuations in the rate that may occur
during the term of any Multi-Currency Note or Currency Indexed Note.
Depreciation of the Specified Currency applicable to a Multi-Currency Note
against the U.S. dollar would result in a decrease in the U.S. dollar-equivalent
yield of such Note, in the U.S. dollar-equivalent value of the principal
repayable at maturity of such Note and, generally, in the U.S. dollar-equivalent
market value of such Note. Similarly, depreciation of the Specified Currency
with respect to a Currency Indexed Note against the applicable Indexed Currency
would result in the principal amount payable with respect to such Currency
Indexed Note at the Maturity Date thereof being less than the Face Amount of
such Currency Indexed Note and in the interest payable, if any, with respect to
such Note reflecting an interest rate less than the Base Interest Rate of such
Note, which, in turn, would decrease the effective yield of such Currency
Indexed Note below its stated interest rate and could also result in a loss to
the investor. See "Description of Notes -- Currency Indexed Notes."
    
 
     Foreign exchange rates can either be fixed by sovereign governments or
float. Exchange rates of most economically developed nations are permitted to
fluctuate in value relative to the U.S. dollar. National governments, however,
rarely voluntarily allow their currencies to float freely in response to
economic forces. Sovereign governments in fact use a variety of techniques, such
as intervention by a country's central bank or imposition of regulatory controls
or taxes, to affect the exchange rate of their currencies. Exchange rates of
certain governments may from time to time be fixed by the central bank or other
agencies at a rate above or below that which might exist if the exchange rate
were allowed to float in response to changes in supply and demand. Governments
may also issue a new currency to replace an existing currency or alter the
exchange rate or relative exchange characteristics by devaluation or revaluation
of a currency. Thus, a special risk in purchasing Notes that are denominated in
or indexed to a foreign currency or currency unit is that their U.S. dollar
equivalent yields could be affected by governmental actions which could change
or interfere with theretofore freely determined currency valuation, fluctuations
in response to other market forces and the movement of currencies across
borders. There will be no adjustment or change in the terms of the
Multi-Currency Notes or Currency Indexed Notes in the event that exchange rates
should become fixed, or in the event of any devaluation or revaluation or
imposition of exchange or other regulatory controls or taxes, or in the event of
other developments, affecting the U.S. dollar or any applicable currency or
currency unit.
 
     THE PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY PRICING
SUPPLEMENT HERETO, DOES NOT DESCRIBE ALL RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN MULTI-
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>   19
 
   
CURRENCY NOTES OR CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES AS SUCH RISKS EXIST AT THE DATE OF THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR AS SUCH RISKS MAY CHANGE FROM TIME TO TIME. PROSPECTIVE
PURCHASERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS
ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN MULTI-CURRENCY NOTES OR CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES.
SUCH NOTES ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE
UNSOPHISTICATED WITH RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.
    
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Pricing Supplement, Notes
denominated in a Specified Currency other than the U.S. dollar or the ECU will
not be sold in, or to residents of, the country of the Specified Currency in
which such Notes are denominated. The information set forth in the Prospectus,
this Prospectus Supplement and the applicable Pricing Supplement is directed to
prospective purchasers who are United States residents and the Company disclaims
any responsibility to advise prospective purchasers who are residents of
countries other than the United States with respect to any matters that may
affect the purchase, holding or receipt of payments of principal of and interest
on Notes. Such persons should consult their own legal advisors with regard to
such matters.
 
GOVERNING LAW AND JUDGMENTS
 
     Notes will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York. Courts in the United States have not customarily rendered
judgments for money damages denominated in any currency other than the U.S.
dollar. The Judiciary Law of the State of New York provides, however, that a
judgment or decree in an action based upon an obligation denominated in a
currency other than U.S. dollars will be rendered in the foreign currency of the
underlying obligation and converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange
prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or decree.
 
EXCHANGE CONTROLS, ETC.
 
     Governments have imposed from time to time exchange controls and may in the
future impose or revise exchange controls at or prior to a Note's maturity. Even
if there were no exchange controls, it is possible that the Specified Currency
for any particular Multi-Currency Note would not be available at an Interest
Payment Date or at such Note's maturity. In that event, the Company will repay
in U.S. dollars on the basis of the Exchange Rate on the second day prior to
such payment, or if such Exchange Rate is not then available, on the basis of
the most recently available Exchange Rate. See "Special Provisions Relating to
Multi-Currency Notes -- Payment Currency." No adjustment or change in the terms
of the Multi-Currency Notes or Currency Indexed Notes in the event of any
controls or unavailability will be made.
 
     A Pricing Supplement with respect to the applicable Specified Currency
(which includes information with respect to applicable current foreign exchange
controls, if any) is a part of the Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement.
The Pricing Supplement relating to each Multi-Currency Note or Currency Indexed
Note will contain information concerning relevant historical exchange rates for
the applicable Specified Currency and/or Indexed Currency, as the case may be, a
description of such currency or currencies and any exchange controls affecting
such currency or currencies. The information concerning exchange rates and
exchange rate controls, if any, is furnished as a matter of information only and
should not be regarded as indicative of the range of or trends in fluctuations
in currency exchange rates or an imposition of exchange rate controls that may
occur in the future. The Company disclaims any responsibility to advise
prospective purchasers of changes in such exchange rates or exchange controls
after the date of any such Pricing Supplement.
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>   20
 
RISKS OF INDEXED NOTES
 
   
     AN INVESTMENT IN CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES AND COMMODITY INDEXED NOTES
(COLLECTIVELY, "INDEXED NOTES") INDEXED, AS TO PRINCIPAL OR INTEREST OR BOTH, TO
ONE OR MORE VALUES OF CURRENCIES (INCLUDING EXCHANGE RATES BETWEEN CURRENCIES),
COMMODITIES OR INTEREST RATE OR OTHER INDICES (COLLECTIVELY, "INDICES" OR
"INDEX") ENTAILS SIGNIFICANT RISKS THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SIMILAR
INVESTMENTS IN A CONVENTIONAL FIXED-RATE DEBT SECURITY. IF THE INTEREST RATE OF
SUCH AN INDEXED NOTE IS SO INDEXED, IT MAY RESULT IN AN INTEREST RATE THAT IS
LESS THAN THAT PAYABLE ON A CONVENTIONAL FIXED-RATE DEBT SECURITY ISSUED AT THE
SAME TIME, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY THAT NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID, AND, IF THE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SUCH AN INDEXED NOTE IS SO INDEXED, THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
PAYABLE AT MATURITY MAY BE LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE OF SUCH INDEXED
NOTE IF ALLOWED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF SUCH INDEXED NOTE, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBILITY THAT NO PRINCIPAL WILL BE PAID. THE SECONDARY MARKET FOR SUCH
INDEXED NOTES WILL BE AFFECTED BY A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INDEPENDENT OF THE
CREDITWORTHINESS OF THE COMPANY AND THE VALUE OF THE APPLICABLE CURRENCY,
COMMODITY OR INDEX, INCLUDING THE VOLATILITY OF THE APPLICABLE CURRENCY,
COMMODITY OR INDEX, THE TIME REMAINING TO THE MATURITY OF SUCH INDEXED NOTES,
THE AMOUNT OUTSTANDING OF SUCH INDEXED NOTES AND MARKET INTEREST RATES. THE
VALUE OF THE APPLICABLE CURRENCY, COMMODITY OR INDEX DEPENDS ON A NUMBER OF
INTER-RELATED FACTORS, INCLUDING ECONOMIC, FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS, OVER
WHICH THE COMPANY HAS NO CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, IF THE FORMULA USED TO DETERMINE
THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OR INTEREST PAYABLE WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INDEXED NOTES
CONTAINS A MULTIPLE OR LEVERAGE FACTOR, THE EFFECT OF ANY CHANGE IN THE
APPLICABLE CURRENCY, COMMODITY OR INDEX WILL BE INCREASED.
    
 
   
     THE HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE OF THE RELEVANT CURRENCIES, COMMODITY OR INDICES
SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATION OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH CURRENCIES,
COMMODITIES OR INDICES DURING THE TERM OF ANY INDEXED NOTE. THE CREDIT RATINGS
ASSIGNED TO THE COMPANY'S MEDIUM-TERM NOTE PROGRAM ARE A REFLECTION OF THE
COMPANY'S CREDIT STATUS, AND, IN NO WAY, ARE A REFLECTION OF THE POTENTIAL
IMPACT OF THE FACTORS DISCUSSED ABOVE, OR ANY OTHER FACTORS, ON THE MARKET VALUE
OF INDEXED NOTES. ACCORDINGLY, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN
FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS ENTAILED BY AN INVESTMENT IN SUCH
INDEXED NOTES AND THE SUITABILITY OF SUCH INDEXED NOTES IN LIGHT OF THEIR
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
    
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>   21
 
   
                     U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
    
 
   
     The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax
consequences resulting from the beneficial ownership of Notes by certain
persons. This summary does not purport to consider all the possible U.S. federal
tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or disposition of the Notes and is
not intended to reflect the individual tax position of any beneficial owner. It
deals only with Notes denominated in U.S. dollars, Notes denominated in
currencies or composite currencies other than U.S. dollars ("Foreign Currency"),
and Foreign Currency in each case held as capital assets. Moreover, except as
expressly indicated, it addresses initial purchasers and does not address
beneficial owners that may be subject to special tax rules, such as banks,
insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, purchasers that hold
Notes (or Foreign Currency) as a hedge against currency risks or as part of a
straddle with other investments or as part of a "synthetic security" or other
integrated investment (including a "conversion transaction") comprised of a Note
and one or more other investments, or purchasers that have a "functional
currency" other than the U.S. dollar. Except to the extent discussed below under
"Non-U.S. Holders," this summary is not applicable to non-United States
persons not subject to U.S. federal income tax on their worldwide income. This
summary is based upon the U.S. federal tax laws and regulations as now in effect
and as currently interpreted and does not take into account possible changes in
such tax laws or such interpretations, any of which may be applied
retroactively. It does not include any description of the tax laws of any state,
local or foreign governments that may be applicable to the Notes or holders
thereof, and it does not discuss the tax treatment of Notes denominated in
certain hyperinflationary currencies or dual currency Notes. Persons considering
the purchase of Notes should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax
consequences of holding Notes, including the application of the U.S. federal tax
laws discussed below to their particular situations, as well as the application
of state, local and other national tax laws.
    
 
U.S. HOLDERS
 
  Payments of Interest
 
     In general, interest on a Note, whether payable in U.S. dollars or a
Foreign Currency (other than certain payments on a Discount Note, as defined and
described below under "Original Issue Discount"), will be taxable to a
beneficial owner who or which is (i) a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or
any State thereof (including the District of Columbia) or (iii) a person
otherwise subject to United States federal income taxation on its worldwide
income (a "U.S. Holder") as ordinary income at the time it is received or
accrued, depending on the holder's method of accounting for tax purposes. If an
interest payment is denominated in or determined by reference to a Foreign
Currency, then special rules, described below under "Foreign Currency Notes,"
apply.
 
  Original Issue Discount
 
   
     The following discussion summarizes the United States federal income tax
consequences to U.S. Holders of Notes issued with original issue discount
("OID") for federal income tax purposes. U.S. Holders of a Note issued with OID
generally will be subject to special tax accounting rules provided in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). On February 2, 1994, the
Treasury Department published final regulations (the "OID Regulations"), which
expand and illustrate the rules provided by the Code. On December 16, 1994, the
Treasury Department proposed new regulations regarding the tax treatment of debt
instruments that provide for one or more contingent payments. The proposed
regulations would also modify the rules relating to variable rate debt
instruments. Subsequent versions of the proposed regulations or corresponding
final regulations may adopt positions that may apply to a Note and that may be
contrary to the positions discussed below. For this reason, purchasers of Notes
issued with OID should carefully examine the Pricing Supplement and consult
their own tax advisers with respect to the current application of the OID rules
to the Notes.
    
 
                                      S-20
<PAGE>   22
 
     Special rules apply to OID on a Discount Note that is denominated in
Foreign Currency. See "Foreign Currency Notes -- Foreign Currency Discount
Notes."
 
     General.  A Note will be treated as issued with OID (a "Discount Note") if
the excess of the Note's "stated redemption price at maturity" over its issue
price is greater than a de minimis amount (set forth in the Code and the OID
Regulations). Generally, the issue price of a Note (or any Note that is part of
an issue of Notes) will be the first price at which a substantial amount of
Notes that are part of such issue of Notes are sold (other than to underwriters,
placement agents or wholesalers). Under the OID Regulations, the "stated
redemption price at maturity" of a Note is the sum of all payments provided by
the Note that are not payments of "qualified stated interest." A "qualified
stated interest" payment includes any stated interest payment on a Note that is
unconditionally payable in cash or property (other than debt instruments of the
Company) at least annually at a single fixed rate (or at certain floating rates)
that appropriately takes into account the length of the interval between stated
interest payments. The applicable Pricing Supplement will state whether a
particular issue of Notes will constitute an issue of Discount Notes.
 
     In general, if the excess of a Note's stated redemption price at maturity
over its issue price is de minimis, then such excess constitutes "de minimis
OID." Under the OID Regulations, unless a U.S. Holder makes the election
described below under "Election to Treat All Interest as Original Issue
Discount," such a Note will not be treated as issued with OID (in which case the
following paragraphs under "Original Issue Discount" will not apply) and a U.S.
Holder of such a Note will recognize capital gain with respect to such de
minimis OID as stated principal payments on the Note are made. The amount of
such gain with respect to each such payment will equal the product of the total
amount of the Note's de minimis OID and a fraction, the numerator of which is
the amount of the principal payment made and the denominator of which is the
stated principal amount of the Note.
 
     The OID Regulations provide that a Note bearing interest at a floating rate
(a "Floating Rate Note") will bear qualified stated interest if the Floating
Rate Note provides for stated interest at: (1) one or more qualified floating
rates; (2) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates; (3) a
single objective rate, or (4) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate
that is a qualified inverse floating rate.
 
     For this purpose, a variable interest rate is a qualified floating rate if
variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure
contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency
in which the debt instrument is denominated. A variable rate is not qualified
stated interest if, among other things, the terms of the Note provide for a
maximum interest rate or a minimum interest rate that is reasonably expected as
of the issue date to cause the yield on the debt instrument to be significantly
less, in the case of a maximum rate, or significantly more, in the case of a
minimum rate, than the expected yield determined without the maximum or minimum
rate, as the case may be.
 
     An objective rate is a rate that is determined using a single fixed formula
and that is based on (1) one or more qualified floating rates; (2) one or more
rates where each rate would be a qualified floating rate for a debt instrument
denominated in a currency other than the currency in which the debt instrument
is denominated; (3) the yield or change in the price of actively traded personal
property; or (4) a combination of the foregoing rates. An objective rate is a
qualified inverse floating rate if the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a
qualified floating rate, and the variation in the rate can be reasonably
expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly
borrowed funds. A variable rate of interest on a debt instrument is not an
objective rate if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate
during the first half of the instrument's term will be either significantly less
than or significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the
final half of the debt instrument's term. Unless specified in the applicable
Pricing Supplement, Floating Rate Notes will not be Discount Notes.
 
     The Code and the OID Regulations require a U.S. Holder of a Discount Note
having a maturity of more than one year from its date of issue to include OID in
gross income, as it accrues economically on
 
                                      S-21
<PAGE>   23
 
a constant yield basis, without regard to the holder's method of accounting for
tax purposes and prior to the receipt of cash attributable to such income. In
addition, qualified stated interest is included in income under the U.S.
Holder's regular method of accounting.
 
     The amount of OID includible in gross income by a U.S. Holder of a Discount
Note is the sum of the "daily portions" of OID with respect to the Discount Note
for each day during the taxable year in which the U.S. Holder holds such
Discount Note ("accrued OID"). The daily portion is determined by allocating to
each day in any "accrual period" a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that
accrual period. Under the OID Regulations, accrual periods with respect to a
Note may be any set of periods (which may be of varying lengths) selected by the
U.S. Holder as long as (i) no accrual period is longer than one year and (ii)
each scheduled payment of interest or principal on the Note occurs on the first
day or final day of an accrual period.
 
     The amount of OID allocable to an accrual period equals the excess of (a)
the product of the Discount Note's adjusted issue price at the beginning of the
accrual period and the Discount Note's yield to maturity (determined on the
basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted
for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the sum of any payments of
qualified stated interest on the Discount Note allocable to the accrual period.
In the case of a Floating Rate Note, both the yield to maturity and the
qualified stated interest will generally be determined for these purposes as
though the Note will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate equal to the
value of the rate as of the issue date. In the case of Floating Rate Notes using
an objective rate other than a qualified inverse floating rate, the yield to
maturity and the qualified stated interest will generally be determined as
though the Note will bear interest in all periods at a fixed rate equal to the
rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the Note.
(Additional rules may apply if interest on a Floating Rate Note is based on more
than one interest index.)
 
     The "adjusted issue price" of a Discount Note at the beginning of the first
accrual period is the issue price. Thereafter, the adjusted issue price at the
beginning of any accrual period is (x) the sum of the issue price of such
Discount Note, the accrued OID for each prior accrual period (determined without
regard to the amortization of any acquisition premium or bond premium, which are
discussed below), and the amount of any qualified stated interest on the Note
that has accrued prior to the beginning of the accrual period but is not payable
until a later date, less (y) any prior payments on the Discount Note that were
not qualified stated interest payments. If a payment (other than a payment of
qualified stated interest) is made on the first day of an accrual period, then
the adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period is reduced by
the amount of the payment. If a portion of the initial purchase price of a Note
is attributable to interest that accrued prior to the Note's issue date, the
first stated interest payment on the Note is to be made within one year of the
Note's issue date and such payment will equal or exceed the amount of
pre-issuance accrued interest, then the issue price will be decreased by the
amount of pre-issuance accrued interest, in which case a portion of the first
stated interest payment will be treated as a return of the excluded pre-issuance
accrued interest and not as an amount payable on the Note.
 
     The OID Regulations contain certain special rules that generally allow any
reasonable method to be used in determining the amount of OID allocable to a
short initial accrual period (if all other accrual periods are of equal length)
and require that the amount of OID allocable to the final accrual period equal
the excess of the amount payable at the maturity of the Discount Note (other
than any payment of qualified stated interest) over the Discount Note's adjusted
issue price as of the beginning of such final accrual period. In addition, if an
interval between payments of qualified stated interest on a Discount Note
contains more than one accrual period, then the amount of qualified stated
interest payable at the end of such interval is allocated pro rata (on the basis
of their relative lengths) between the accrual periods contained in the
interval.
 
     U.S. Holders of Discount Notes generally will have to include in income
increasingly greater amounts of OID over the life of the Notes.
 
                                      S-22
<PAGE>   24
 
     Acquisition Premium.  A U.S. Holder that purchases a Discount Note at its
original issuance for an amount in excess of its issue price but less than its
stated redemption price at maturity (any such excess being "acquisition
premium"), and that does not make the election described below under "Election
To Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount," reduces the daily portions of
OID by an amount equal to the amount which would be the daily portion for such
day (determined without regard to this paragraph) multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the excess of the U.S. Holder's purchase price for the
Note over the issue price, and the denominator of which is the excess of the sum
of all amounts payable on the Note after the purchase date, other than payments
of qualified stated interest, over the Note's issue price. Alternatively, a U.S.
Holder may elect to compute OID accruals as described under "Original Issue
Discount -- General" above, treating the U.S. Holder's purchase price as the
issue price.
 
     Optional Redemption.  If the Company has an option to redeem a Discount
Note, or the U.S. Holder has an option to cause a Discount Note to be
repurchased, prior to the Discount Note's stated maturity, such option will be
presumed to be exercised if, by utilizing any date on which such Discount Note
may be redeemed or repurchased as the maturity date and the amount payable on
such date in accordance with the terms of such Discount Note (the "redemption
price") as the stated redemption price at maturity, the yield on the Discount
Note would be (i) in the case of an option of the Company, lower than its yield
to stated maturity, or (ii) in the case of an option of the U.S. Holder, higher
than its yield to stated maturity. If such option is not in fact exercised when
presumed to be exercised, the Note would be treated solely for OID purposes as
if it were redeemed or repurchased, and a new Note were issued, on the presumed
exercise date for an amount equal to the Discount Note's adjusted issue price on
that date.
 
     Short-Term Notes.  Under the Code, special rules apply with respect to OID
on Notes that mature one year or less from the date of issuance ("Short-Term
Notes"). In general, a cash basis U.S. Holder of a Short-Term Note is not
required to include OID in income as it accrues for United States federal income
tax purposes unless it elects to do so. Accrual basis U.S. Holders and certain
other U.S. Holders, including banks, regulated investment companies, dealers in
securities and cash basis U.S. Holders who so elect, are required to include OID
in income as it accrues on Short-Term Notes on a straight-line basis or, at the
election of the U.S. Holder, under the constant yield method (based on daily
compounding). In the case of U.S. Holders not required and not electing to
include OID in income currently, any gain realized on the sale or retirement of
Short-Term Notes will be ordinary income to the extent of the OID accrued on a
straight-line basis (unless an election is made to accrue the original issue
discount under the constant yield method) through the date of sale or
retirement. U.S. Holders who are not required and do not elect to include OID on
Short-Term Notes in income as it accrues will be required to defer deductions
for interest on borrowings allocable to Short-Term Notes in an amount not
exceeding the deferred income until the deferred income is realized.
 
     Any U.S. Holder of a Short-Term Note can elect to apply the rules in the
preceding paragraph taking into account the amount of "acquisition discount," if
any, with respect to the Note (rather than the OID with respect to such Note).
Acquisition discount is the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of
the Short-Term Note over the U.S. Holder's purchase price therefor. Acquisition
discount will be treated as accruing on a ratable basis or, at the election of
the U.S. Holder, on a constant-yield basis.
 
     For purposes of determining the amount of OID subject to these rules, the
OID Regulations provide that no interest payments on a Short-Term Note are
qualified stated interest, but instead such interest payments are included in
the Short-Term Note's stated redemption price at maturity. Actual receipt of
stated interest will be taxable to the extent of accrued OID at the time of
receipt.
 
  Notes Purchased at a Premium
 
     Under the Code, a U.S. Holder that purchases a Note for an amount in excess
of its stated redemption price at maturity will not be subject to the OID rules
and may elect to treat such excess as
 
                                      S-23
<PAGE>   25
 
"amortizable bond premium," in which case the amount of qualified stated
interest required to be included in the U.S. Holder's income each year with
respect to interest on the Note will be reduced by the amount of amortizable
bond premium allocable (based on the Note's yield to maturity) to such year. Any
election to amortize bond premium is applicable to all bonds (other than bonds
the interest on which is excludible from gross income) held by the U.S. Holder
at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election applies or
thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder, and may not be revoked without the
consent of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). A U.S. Holder that does not
elect to amortize bond premium will generally be entitled to treat the premium
as capital loss when the Note matures. See also "Election to Treat All Interest
as Original Issue Discount" below.
 
  Notes Purchased at a Market Discount
 
     A Note, other than a Short-Term Note, will be treated as issued at a market
discount (a "Market Discount Note") if the amount for which a U.S. Holder
purchased the Note is less than the Note's issue price, subject to a de minimis
rule similar to the rule relating to de minimis OID described under "Original
Issue Discount -- General."
 
     In general, any gain recognized on the maturity or disposition of a Market
Discount Note will be treated as ordinary income to the extent that such gain
does not exceed the accrued market discount on such Note. Alternatively, a U.S.
Holder of a Market Discount Note may elect to include market discount in income
currently over the life of the Market Discount Note. Such an election applies to
all debt instruments with market discount acquired by the electing U.S. Holder
on or after the first day of the first taxable year to which the election
applies and may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
     Market discount accrues on a straight-line basis unless the U.S. Holder
elects to accrue such discount on a constant yield to maturity basis. Such an
election is applicable only to the Market Discount Note with respect to which it
is made and is irrevocable. A U.S. Holder of a Market Discount Note that does
not elect to include market discount in income currently generally will be
required to defer deductions for interest on borrowings allocable to such Note
in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount on such Note until the
maturity or disposition of such Note.
 
     The market discount rules do not apply to a Short-Term Note.
 
  Election To Treat All Interest as Original Issue Discount
 
     Any U.S. Holder may elect to include in gross income all interest that
accrues on a Note using the constant yield method described above under the
heading "Original Issue Discount -- General," with the modifications described
below. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, OID, de
minimis OID, market discount acquisition discount, de minimis market discount
and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or
acquisition premium.
 
     In applying the constant yield method to a Note with respect to which this
election has been made, the issue price of the Note will equal the electing U.S.
Holder's adjusted basis in the Note immediately after its acquisition, the issue
date of the Note will be the date of its acquisition by the electing U.S.
Holder, and no payments on the Note will be treated as payments of qualified
stated interest. This election is generally applicable only to the Note with
respect to which it is made and may not be revoked without the consent of the
IRS. If this election is made with respect to a Note with amortizable bond
premium, the electing U.S. Holder will be deemed to have elected to apply
amortizable bond premium against interest with respect to all debt instruments
with amortizable bond premium (other than debt instruments the interest on which
is excludible from gross income) held by such electing U.S. Holder as of the
beginning of the taxable year in which the election is made or any debt
instruments acquired thereafter. The deemed election with respect to amortizable
bond premium may not be revoked without the consent of the IRS.
 
                                      S-24
<PAGE>   26
 
     If the election described above to apply the constant yield method to all
interest on a Note is made with respect to a Market Discount Note, as defined
above, then the electing U.S. Holder will be treated as having made the election
discussed above under "Notes Purchased at a Market Discount" to include market
discount in income currently over the life of all debt instruments held or
thereafter acquired by such U.S. Holder.
 
  Purchase, Sale and Retirement of the Notes
 
     General.  A U.S. Holder's tax basis in a Note generally will equal its U.S.
dollar cost (which, in the case of a Note purchased with a Foreign Currency,
will be the U.S. dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase),
increased by the amount of any OID or market discount (or acquisition discount,
in the case of a Short Term Note) included in the U.S. Holder's income with
respect to the Note and the amount, if any, of income attributable to de minimis
OID included in the U.S. Holder's income with respect to the Note, and reduced
by the sum of (i) the amount of any payments that are not qualified stated
interest payments, and (ii) the amount of any amortizable bond premium applied
to reduce interest on the Note. A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss on the sale or retirement of a Note equal to the difference between the
amount realized on the sale or retirement and the U.S. Holder's tax basis in the
Note. The amount realized on a sale or retirement for an amount in Foreign
Currency will be the U.S. dollar value of such amount on the date of sale or
retirement. Except to the extent described above under "Original Issue
Discount -- Short Term Notes" or "Notes Purchased at a Market Discount" or below
under "Foreign Currency Notes -- Exchange Gain or Loss," and except to the
extent attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, gain or loss recognized on
the sale or retirement of a Note will be capital gain or loss and will be
long-term capital gain or loss if the Note was held for more than one year.
 
  Foreign Currency Notes
 
     Interest Payments.  If an interest payment is denominated in or determined
by reference to a Foreign Currency, the amount of income recognized by a cash
basis U.S. Holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the interest payment, based
on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Accrual basis U.S. Holders may
determine the amount of income recognized with respect to such interest payment
in accordance with either of two methods. Under the first method, the amount of
income recognized will be based on the average exchange rate in effect during
the interest accrual period (or, with respect to an accrual period that spans
two taxable years, the partial period within the taxable year). Upon receipt of
an interest payment (including a payment attributable to accrued but unpaid
interest upon the sale or retirement of a Note) determined by reference to a
Foreign Currency, an accrual basis U.S. Holder will recognize ordinary income or
loss measured by the difference between such average exchange rate and the
exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the
payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Under the second method, an
accrual basis U.S. Holder may elect to translate interest income into U.S.
dollars at the spot exchange rate in effect on the last day of the accrual
period or, in the case of an accrual period that spans two taxable years, at the
exchange rate in effect on the last day of the partial period within the taxable
year. Additionally, if a payment of interest is actually received within 5
business days of the last day of the accrual period or taxable year, an accrual
basis U.S. Holder applying the second method may instead translate such accrued
interest into U.S. dollars at the spot exchange rate in effect on the day of
actual receipt (in which case no exchange gain or loss will result). Any
election to apply the second method will apply to all debt instruments held by
the U.S. Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year to which the election
applies or thereafter acquired by the U.S. Holder and may not be revoked without
the consent of the IRS.
 
     Exchange of Amounts in Other than U.S. Dollars.  Foreign Currency received
as interest on a Note or on the sale or retirement of a Note will have a tax
basis equal to its U.S. dollar value at the time such interest is received or at
the time of such sale or retirement, as the case may be. Foreign Currency that
is purchased will generally have a tax basis equal to the U.S. dollar value of
the Foreign Currency on
 
                                      S-25
<PAGE>   27
 
the date of purchase. Any gain or loss recognized on a sale or other disposition
of a Foreign Currency (including its use to purchase Notes or upon exchange for
U.S. dollars) will be ordinary income or loss.
 
     Foreign Currency Discount Notes.  OID for any accrual period on a Discount
Note that is denominated in a Foreign Currency will be determined in the Foreign
Currency and then translated into U.S. dollars in the same manner as stated
interest accrued by an accrual basis U.S. Holder. Upon receipt of an amount
attributable to original issue discount (whether in connection with a payment of
interest or the sale or retirement of a Note), a U.S. Holder may recognize
ordinary income or loss.
 
     Amortizable Bond Premium.  In the case of a Note that is denominated in a
Foreign Currency, bond premium will be computed in units of Foreign Currency,
and amortizable bond premium will reduce interest income in units of the Foreign
Currency. At the time amortized bond premium offsets interest income, a U.S.
Holder may realize ordinary income or loss, measured by the difference between
exchange rates at that time and at the time of the acquisition of the Notes.
 
     Market Discount.  Market discount is determined in units of the Foreign
Currency. Accrued market discount that is required to be taken into account on
the maturity or upon disposition of a Note is translated into U.S. dollars at
the exchange rate on the maturity or the disposition date, as the case may be
(and no part is treated as exchange gain or loss). Accrued market discount
currently includible in income by an electing U.S. Holder is translated into
U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the accrual period (or the partial
accrual period during which the U.S. Holder held the Note), and exchange gain or
loss is determined on maturity or disposition of the Note (as the case may be)
in the manner described above under "Foreign Currency Notes -- Interest
Payments" with respect to the computation of exchange gain or loss on the
receipt of accrued interest by an accrual method holder.
 
     Exchange Gain or Loss.  Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on the
sale or retirement of a Note that is attributable to changes in exchange rates
will be treated as ordinary income or loss. However, exchange gain or loss is
taken into account only to the extent of total gain or loss realized on the
transaction.
 
  Indexed Notes
 
     The applicable Pricing Supplement will contain a discussion of any special
United States federal income tax rules with respect to Currency Indexed Notes,
Commodity Indexed Notes or other indexed Notes.
 
NON-U.S. HOLDERS
 
     Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, payments of
principal (and premium, if any) and interest (including OID) by the Company or
any agent of the Company (acting in its capacity as such) to any holder of a
Note that is not a U.S. Holder (a "Non-U.S. Holder") will not be subject to U.S.
federal withholding tax, provided, in the case of interest (including OID), that
(i) the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company entitled
to vote, (ii) the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation for
U.S. tax purposes that is related to the Company (directly or indirectly)
through stock ownership and (iii) either (A) the Non-U.S. Holder certifies to
the Company or its agent under penalties of perjury that it is not a United
States person and provides its name and address or (B) a securities clearing
organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers'
securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business (a "financial
institution") and holds the Note certifies to the Company or its agent under
penalties of perjury that such statement has been received from the Non-U.S.
Holder by it or by another financial institution and furnishes the payor with a
copy thereof. A Non-U.S. Holder of a Note providing for payments of contingent
interest within the meaning of Section 871(h) of the Code, will not, however, be
exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to payments of such
contingent interest. The applicable Pricing Supplement will contain a
description of U.S. federal withholding tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of
a purchase of a Note providing for payments of such contingent interest.
 
                                      S-26
<PAGE>   28
 
     If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States
and interest (including OID) on the Note is effectively connected with the
conduct of such trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from the
withholding tax discussed in the preceding paragraph (provided that such holder
furnishes a properly executed IRS Form 4224 on or before any payment date to
claim such exemption), may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such
interest (or OID) in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. In addition,
if the Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a branch
profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits for
the taxable year, subject to certain adjustments. For purposes of the branch
profits tax, interest (including OID) on a Note will be included in the earnings
and profits of such holder if such interest (or OID) is effectively connected
with the conduct by such holder of a trade or business in the United States. In
lieu of the certificate described in the preceding paragraph, such a holder must
provide the payor with a properly executed IRS Form 4224 to claim an exemption
from U.S. federal withholding tax.
 
     Any capital gain, market discount or exchange gain realized on the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Note by a Non-U.S. Holder will
not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding taxes if (i) such gain is
not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the Non-U.S. Holder
and (ii) in the case of an individual, such Non-U.S. Holder (A) is not present
in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale,
exchange, retirement or other disposition or (B) does not have a tax home (as
defined in Section 911(d)(3) of the Code) in the United States in the taxable
year of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition and the gain is not
attributable to an office or other fixed place of business maintained by such
individual in the United States.
 
     Notes held by an individual who is neither a citizen nor a resident of the
United States for U.S. federal tax purposes at the time of such individual's
death will not be subject to U.S. federal estate tax, provided that the income
from such Notes was not or would not have been effectively connected with a U.S.
trade or business of such individual and that such individual qualified for the
exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax (without regard to the certification
requirements) described above.
 
     PURCHASERS OF NOTES THAT ARE NON-U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX
ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE POSSIBLE APPLICABILITY OF UNITED STATES WITHHOLDING
AND OTHER TAXES UPON INCOME REALIZED IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES.
 
INFORMATION REPORTING AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     For each calendar year in which the Notes are outstanding, the Company is
required to provide the IRS with certain information, including the holder's
name, address and taxpayer identification number (either the holder's Social
Security number or its employer identification number, as the case may be), the
aggregate amount of principal and interest paid (including OID, if any) to that
holder during the calendar year and the amount of tax withheld, if any. This
obligation, however, does not apply with respect to certain U.S. Holders,
including corporations, tax-exempt organizations, qualified pension and profit
sharing trusts and individual retirement accounts.
 
     In the event that a U.S. Holder subject to the reporting requirements
described above fails to supply its correct taxpayer identification number in
the manner required by applicable law or underreports its tax liability, the
Company, its agents or paying agents or a broker may be required to "backup"
withhold a tax equal to 31% of each payment of interest (including OID) and
principal (and premium, if any) on the Notes. This backup withholding is not an
additional tax and may be credited against the U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income
tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
 
     Under current Treasury Regulations, backup withholding and information
reporting will not apply to payments made by the Company or any agent thereof
(in its capacity as such) to a Non-U.S. Holder of a Note if such holder has
provided the required certification that it is not a United States person as set
forth in clause (iii) in the first paragraph under "Non-U.S. Holders" above, or
has otherwise established an exemption (provided that neither the Company nor
its agent has actual knowledge that the holder is a United States person or that
the conditions of any exemption are not in fact satisfied).
 
                                      S-27
<PAGE>   29
 
     Payment of the proceeds from the sale of a Note to or through a foreign
office of a broker will not be subject to information reporting or backup
withholding, except that if the broker is a United States person, a controlled
foreign corporation for United States tax purposes or a foreign person 50
percent or more of whose gross income from all sources for the three-year period
ending with the close of its taxable year preceding the payment was effectively
connected with a U.S. trade or business, information reporting may apply to such
payments. Payment of the proceeds from a sale of a Note to or through the U.S.
office of a broker is subject to information reporting and backup withholding
unless the holder or beneficial owner certifies as to its taxpayer
identification number or otherwise establishes an exemption from information
reporting and backup withholding.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Notes are being offered on a continuing basis by the Company through
each of Lehman Brothers, Lehman Brothers Inc. (including its affiliate Lehman
Government Securities Inc.) and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as an agent (each an
"Agent" and collectively the "Agents"), each of which has agreed to use its
reasonable best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the Notes. The Company
will pay each Agent a commission, in the form of a discount, ranging from .125%
to .625% of the principal amount of each Note, depending upon the time until its
Maturity Date, sold through such Agent. The Company may use additional agents to
solicit offers to purchase Notes as the Company may designate from time to time
on terms substantially identical to those set forth above. Such other agents, if
any, will be named in the applicable Pricing Supplement. The Company also may
sell Notes to any Agent, acting as principal, at a discount to be agreed upon at
the time of sale, for resale to one or more investors or to one or more
broker-dealers (acting as principal for purposes of resale) at varying prices
related to prevailing market prices at the time of resale, as determined by such
Agent, or, if so agreed, at a fixed public offering price. The Notes may also be
sold by the Company directly to purchasers. No commission will be payable to the
Agents on Notes sold directly to purchasers by the Company.
 
     The Company will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase Notes and
may reject any proposed purchase of Notes in whole or in part whether placed
directly with the Company or through an Agent. Each Agent will have the right,
in its discretion reasonably exercised, to reject any offer to purchase Notes
received by it in whole or in part.
 
     Payment of the purchase price of the Notes will be required to be made in
funds immediately available in The City of New York.
 
     The Agents may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). The Company has agreed to
indemnify each Agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Act. The Company has agreed to reimburse the Agents for certain expenses,
including fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents. The Agents may sell
to or through dealers who may resell to investors. The Agents may pay all or
part of their commission to such dealers. Such dealers may be deemed to be
"underwriters" within the meaning of the Act.
 
     No Note will have an established trading market when issued. The Notes will
not be listed on any securities exchange. The Company has been advised by each
of the Agents that it may from time to time purchase and sell Notes in the
secondary market, but that it is not obligated to do so. No assurance can be
given that there will be a secondary market for the Notes.
 
                                      S-28
<PAGE>   30
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE 
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE 
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS 
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 17, 1995
    
 
PROSPECTUS
 
                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                                DEBT SECURITIES
 
     Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (the "Company"), directly, through agents
designated from time to time, or through dealers or underwriters also to be
designated, may sell from time to time after the date of this Prospectus up to
$400,000,000 aggregate principal amount or the equivalent thereof in other
currencies or currency units of its debt securities (the "Securities"), in one
or more series, on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The specific
designation, aggregate principal amount, authorized denominations, currency,
maturity, interest rate or method for its calculation, if any, interest payment
dates, purchase price, any terms for redemption, repayment or defeasance or
other specific terms, any listing on a securities exchange, sinking fund
provisions, if any, and the agents, dealers or underwriters, if any, in
connection with the sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus
is being delivered are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement
("Prospectus Supplement"), and Pricing Supplement ("Pricing Supplement"), if
any, together with the terms of offering of the Securities. The Company reserves
the sole right to accept and, together with its agents from time to time, to
reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of Securities to be made
directly or through agents.
                               ------------------
 
  THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
       REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                               ------------------
 
     If an agent of the Company or a dealer or underwriter is involved in the
sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
the agent's commission, dealer's purchase price or underwriter's discount is set
forth in, or may be calculated from, the Prospectus Supplement and the net
proceeds to the Company from such sale will be the purchase price of such
Securities less such commission in the case of an agent, the purchase price of
such Securities in the case of a dealer or the public offering price less such
discount in the case of an underwriter, and less, in each case, the other
attributable issuance and distribution expenses. The aggregate proceeds to the
Company from all the Securities will be the purchase price of Securities sold
less the aggregate of agents' commissions and underwriters' discounts and other
expenses of issuance and distribution. See "Plan of Distribution" for possible
indemnification arrangements for the agents, dealers and underwriters.
 
   
April   , 1995
    
<PAGE>   31
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements
and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information, including
the documents incorporated herein by reference, can be inspected and copied at
the office of the Commission at Room 1024 (Public Reference Room), 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, as well as at the Regional Offices of the
Commission at Northwestern Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street (Suite 1400),
Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York
10048. Copies of such material can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference
Room of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. In addition, such reports, proxy statements and other
information concerning the Company can be inspected at the offices of the New
York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York, and the Pacific
Stock Exchange, 115 Sansome Street, San Francisco, California.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The Company hereby incorporates by reference in this Prospectus the
following documents:
 
   
     (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1994, filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934; and
    
 
   
     (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 1994, filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
    
 
     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the date of this
Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed
document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     Any person receiving a copy of this Prospectus may obtain without charge,
upon written or oral request, a copy of any of the documents incorporated by
reference herein, except for the exhibits to such documents. Requests should be
directed to the Corporate Secretary's Office, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.,
7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18195-1501, telephone: (610)
481-4911.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company, through internal development and by acquisitions, has
established an internationally recognized industrial gas and related industrial
process equipment business, and developed strong positions as a producer of
certain chemicals. In addition, the Company has developed an environmental and
energy business principally through various partnerships.
 
     The industrial gases business segment recovers and distributes industrial
gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon and hydrogen and a variety of medical and
specialty gases. The chemicals business segment produces and markets specialty
chemicals and chemical intermediates. The environmental and energy business is
principally composed of partnerships in waste-to-energy, cogeneration and flue-
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   32
 
gas desulfurization. The equipment and technology business segment supplies
cryogenic and other process equipment and related engineering services.
 
     The Company was incorporated in 1961 under Delaware law and is the
successor to a Michigan corporation organized in 1940. Its principal executive
offices are located at 7201 Hamilton Boulevard, Allentown, Pennsylvania
18195-1501, telephone (610) 481-4911. Except as otherwise indicated by the
context, the term "Company" as used herein means Air Products and Chemicals,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
 
                      RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                (UNAUDITED)
              (UNAUDITED)                       THREE MONTHS
        YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,             ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ----------------------------------------     ------------------
1990     1991     1992     1993     1994            1994
- ----     ----     ----     ----     ----     ------------------
<S>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
3.2      3.2      3.9      3.2      3.4              4.4
</TABLE>
    
 
     For the purpose of determining the unaudited ratios of earnings to fixed
charges, earnings represent income (before extraordinary item and cumulative
effect of accounting changes) before income taxes, fixed charges (less interest
capitalized), amortization of capitalized interest and undistributed earnings of
less-than-fifty-percent owned affiliates. Fixed charges consist of interest on
all indebtedness (including capital lease obligations), capitalized interest,
amortization of debt discount premium and expense and the portion of rent
charges considered to be representative of the interest factor.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
   
     Net proceeds to the Company are expected to be $397,500,000 - $399,500,000
(prior to deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at $335,000). The
Company currently intends to apply the net proceeds from the sale of the
Securities to its general funds to be used for general corporate purposes. Such
corporate purposes may include the refunding of maturing debt (as described in
Note 5 of the Company's 1994 Consolidated Financial Statements, as incorporated
into the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1994), the
repurchase of shares of the Company's Common Stock and acquisitions, including
the acquisition of outstanding shares of a Spanish industrial gas company,
Sociedad Espanola de Carburos Metalicos, S.A., which are tendered under tender
offers expected to be made in September 1995 and September 1996. Pending such
application, all or a portion of the net proceeds may be invested in short-term
money market instruments. The precise amount and timing of the use of the
proceeds will depend upon future requirements and the availability of other
funds to the Company.
    
 
                           DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
 
     The Securities offered hereby will be issuable in one or more series under
an Indenture dated as of January 10, 1995 (the "Indenture"), entered into
between the Company and First Fidelity Bank, National Association, as Trustee
(the "Trustee"). The following statements are subject to the detailed provisions
of the Indenture, a copy of which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement. Wherever references are made to particular provisions of the
Indenture, such provisions are incorporated by reference as a part of the
statements made and such statements are qualified in their entirety by such
reference. Certain defined terms are capitalized. Section references in italics
are to the Indenture.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   33
 
GENERAL
 
   
     The Indenture provides that the aggregate principal amount of Securities
which may be issued under the Indenture is unlimited. Reference is made to the
Prospectus Supplement and the applicable Pricing Supplement for the following
terms of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered:
(1) the designation, aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of
such Securities; (2) the percentage of their principal amount at which such
Securities will be issued; (3) the currency or currency unit of payment; (4) the
date on which such Securities will mature; (5) the rate or rates per annum, if
any, at which such Securities will bear interest or the method for calculating
such rate; (6) the times at which such interest, if any, will be payable; (7)
provisions for a sinking fund, if any; (8) whether such Securities are to be
issued in book-entry form, and, if so, the identity of the depositary and
information with respect to book-entry procedures; and (9) any redemption,
repayment or defeasance terms or other specific terms. Principal and interest,
if any, will be payable, and the Securities offered hereby will be transferable
or exchangeable, as provided therein.
    
 
     The Securities will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
 
   
     One or more series of the Securities may be issued as discounted Securities
(bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is
below market rates) to be sold at a substantial discount below their stated
principal amount. Federal income tax consequences and other special
considerations applicable to any such series of discounted Securities will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement and/or the applicable Pricing Supplement
relating thereto.
    
 
   
     Special federal income tax and other considerations relating to Securities
denominated in foreign currencies or units of two or more foreign currencies
will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement and/or the applicable
Pricing Supplement.
    
 
     The Securities offered hereby will be issued only in fully registered form
without coupons. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of
the Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith. (Section
2.8)
 
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
 
     Limitations on Liens -- Subject to the exceptions set forth below under
"Exempted Indebtedness," the Company covenants that it will not create or
assume, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) to
create or assume, any mortgage, security interest, pledge or lien (collectively
referred to herein as "lien") of or upon any Principal Property (as hereinafter
defined), or any underlying real estate of such property, or shares of capital
stock or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of
the Indenture or thereafter acquired, without equally and ratably securing the
outstanding Securities. This restriction will not apply to certain permitted
liens, including the following: (1) liens on any Principal Property which are
created or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 120 days after (or in the
case of any such Principal Property which is being financed on the basis of
long-term contracts or similar financing arrangements for which a firm
commitment is made by one or more banks, insurance companies or other lenders or
investors (not including the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary), then within
360 days after), the completion of the acquisition, construction or improvement
of such Principal Property to secure or provide for the payment of any part of
the purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction or
improvement, or liens on any Principal Property existing at the time of
acquisition thereof; (2) liens on property or shares of capital stock or
indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged
into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time
of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation
substantially as an entirety to the
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   34
 
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; (3) liens on property or shares of capital
stock or indebtedness of a corporation existing at the time such corporation
becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; (4) liens to secure indebtedness of a
Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary, but
only so long as such indebtedness is held by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary; (5) liens in favor of the United States of America or any State
thereof, or any department, agency or political subdivision of the United States
of America or any State thereof, to secure certain payments pursuant to any
contract or statute, including liens to secure indebtedness of the pollution
control or industrial revenue bond type, or to secure indebtedness incurred for
the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of
constructing or improving property subject to such liens; (6) liens in favor of
any customer arising in respect of certain payments made by or on behalf of such
customer for goods produced for or services rendered to such customer in the
ordinary course of business not exceeding the amount of such payments; (7) liens
to extend, renew or replace in whole or in part any lien referred to in the
foregoing clauses (1) to (6), or in this clause (7), or any lien created prior
to and existing on the date of the Indenture, provided that the principal amount
of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of
indebtedness so secured at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement,
and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a
part of the property subject to the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus
improvements on such property); and (8) certain statutory liens, liens for taxes
and certain other liens. (Section 3.6)
 
     Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions -- Subject to the
exceptions set forth below under "Exempted Indebtedness," sale and lease-back
transactions by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal
Property which has been owned and operated by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary for more than 120 days are prohibited unless (1) the property
involved is property which could be the subject of a lien without equally and
ratably securing the Securities; (2) an amount equal to the Attributable Debt
(as hereinafter defined) of any such sale and lease-back transaction is applied
to the acquisition of another Principal Property of equal or greater fair market
value or to retirement of indebtedness for borrowed money (including the
Securities) which by its terms matures on or is renewable at the option of the
obligor to a date more than twelve months after the creation of such
indebtedness; or (3) the lease involved is for a term (including renewals) of
not more than three years. (Section 3.7)
 
     Exempted Indebtedness -- The Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may create
or assume liens and enter into sale and lease-back transactions, notwithstanding
the limitations outlined above, provided that at the time thereof and after
giving effect thereto the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by all such
liens and Attributable Debt of all such sale and lease-back transactions
outstanding shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as
hereinafter defined). (Section 3.8)
 
     Limitations on Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets -- If, upon any
consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation, or
upon any sale, conveyance or lease of substantially all its properties, any
Principal Property would thereupon become subject to any lien, the Company,
prior to such event, will secure the Securities equally and ratably with any
other obligations of the Company then entitled thereto by a direct lien on all
such Principal Property prior to all other liens other than any theretofore
existing thereon. (Section 3.9)
 
     Certain Definitions -- The term "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which
at least a majority of all outstanding voting stock is at the time owned by the
Company or by one or more Subsidiaries of the Company. The term "Restricted
Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (a) substantially all of the property of which
is located, or substantially all of the business of which is carried on, within
the United States and (b) which owns or leases a Principal Property. The term
"Principal Property" means any manufacturing plant, research facility or
warehouse owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary which is located
within the United States and has a net book value exceeding the greater of
$5,000,000 and 1% of shareholders' equity of the Company and its consolidated
Subsidiaries, excluding any property which the Board of Directors by resolution
declares is not of material importance to the
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   35
 
total business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as an entirety. The term
"Attributable Debt" means the present value (discounted as provided in the
Indenture) of the obligation of a lessee for required rental payments for the
remaining term of any lease. The term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means
at any time the total of all assets appearing on the most recent consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, at their net book
values (after deducting related depreciation, depletion, amortization and all
other valuation reserves which, in accordance with such principles, are set
aside in connection with the business conducted), but excluding goodwill,
trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and all other like segregated
intangible assets, and amounts on the asset side of such balance sheet for
capital stock of the Company, all as determined in accordance with such
principles, less Consolidated Current Liabilities. The term "Consolidated
Current Liabilities" means the aggregate of the current liabilities of the
Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries appearing on the consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries, all as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. (Section 1.1)
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, WAIVER AND NOTICE
 
     As to any series of Securities, an Event of Default is defined in the
Indenture as being any one of the following events and such events as may be
established with respect to the Securities of such series in any applicable
Pricing Supplement: (a) default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on
the Securities of such series; (b) default in the payment of principal and
premium, if any, on the Securities of such series when due either at maturity,
upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; (c) default in the payment of any
sinking fund installment on the Securities of such series; (d) default by the
Company in the performance of any other of the covenants or agreements in the
Indenture (other than those set forth exclusively in the terms of any series of
Securities) which shall not have been remedied for a period of 90 days after
appropriate notice, as specified in the Indenture; or (e) certain events of
bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of the Company. (Section 5.1) No Event
of Default with respect to any particular series of Securities necessarily
constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of Securities.
The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to the holders of
Securities of any series of any default (except in payment of principal of or
interest on such Securities or in the making of any sinking fund payment with
respect to such Securities) if the Trustee considers it in the interest of the
holders of Securities of such series to do so. (Section 5.11)
 
     The Indenture provides that: (1) if an Event of Default described in clause
(a), (b) or (c) above or established with respect to the Securities of any
series shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the holders
of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then
outstanding may declare the principal (or, in the case of discounted Securities,
the amount specified in the terms thereof) of all such Securities to be due and
payable immediately and (2) if an Event of Default described in clause (d) or
(e) above shall have occurred and be continuing, either the Trustee or the
holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all Securities
then outstanding may declare the principal (or, in the case of discounted
Securities, the amount specified in the terms thereof) of all Securities to be
due and payable immediately, but upon certain conditions such declarations may
be annulled and past defaults (except for defaults in the payment of principal
of, or premium or interest, if any, on, such Securities) may be waived by the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such
series (or of all series as the case may be) then outstanding. (Section 5.1 and
Section 5.10)
 
     The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities
of each series affected (with each series voting as a separate class) and then
outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee under
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   36
 
the Indenture, subject to certain limitations specified in the Indenture,
provided that the holders of Securities shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities. (Section 5.9 and
Section 6.2(d)) The Indenture requires the annual filing by the Company with the
Trustee of a certificate as to the absence of certain defaults under the
Indenture. (Section 3.5)
 
     Other than the restrictions on liens and sale and lease-back transactions
described above, the Indenture and the Securities do not contain any covenants
or other provisions designed to afford holders of the Securities protection in
the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company or any
Subsidiary, including without limitation any takeover, recapitalization or other
restructuring that may result in a sudden and significant decline in credit
rating.
 
MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURE
 
     The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities of all series affected by such modification at the time
outstanding (voting as one class), to modify the Indenture or any supplemental
indenture or the rights of the holders of the Securities, provided that no such
modification shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable upon redemption thereof, or
reduce the amount of the principal of a discounted Security due and payable upon
acceleration of the maturity thereof or provable in bankruptcy, or impair or
affect the right of a holder to institute suit for the payment thereof or the
right of repayment, if any, at the option of the holder thereof, without the
consent of the holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid
percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is
required for any such modification, without the consent of the holder of each
Security so affected. (Section 8.2)
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
     The Securities of a series may be issued in the form of a global security
which is deposited with and registered in the name of the depositary (or a
nominee of the depositary) specified in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
So long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the
registered owner of the global security, the depositary or its nominee, as the
case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Securities
represented by such global security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as provided in the Indenture, owners of beneficial interests in Securities
represented by a global security will not (a) be entitled to have such
Securities registered in their names, (b) receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of certificates representing such Securities in definitive
form, (c) be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture and
(d) have any rights under the Indenture with respect to such global security
(Section 2.14). The Company, in its sole discretion, may at any time determine
that any series of Securities issued or issuable in the form of a global
security shall no longer be represented by such global security and such global
security shall be exchanged for securities in definitive form pursuant to the
Indenture (Section 2.14).
 
     Upon the issuance of a global security, the depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
such global security to the accounts of participants in the depositary.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the
transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
the depositary (with respect to interests of participants in the depositary), or
by participants in the depositary or persons that may hold interests through
such participants (with respect to persons other than participants in the
depositary). Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be
limited to participants or persons that hold interests through participants.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   37
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     First Fidelity Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture,
also performs certain cash management services for the Company in the normal
course of business.
 
DEFEASANCE OF THE INDENTURE AND SECURITIES
 
     The Company at any time may satisfy its obligations with respect to
payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on, any
Security or Securities of any series by depositing in trust with the Trustee (a)
money (in such currency in which such securities are payable) or (b), in the
case of Securities denominated in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations (as
defined in the Indenture) or, in the case of Securities denominated in a foreign
currency, Foreign Government Securities (as defined in the Indenture) or a
combination of (a) and (b) sufficient to make such payments when due. If such
deposit is sufficient to make all payments of (1) interest, if any, on such
Securities prior to and on their redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and
(2) principal of, and premium, if any, on such Securities when due upon
redemption or at maturity, as the case may be, all the obligations of the
Company with respect to such Securities and the Indenture insofar as it relates
to such Securities will be discharged and terminated (except as to the Company's
obligations to compensate, reimburse and indemnify the Trustee pursuant to the
Indenture). In the event of any such defeasance, holders of such Securities
would be able to look only to such trust fund for payment of principal and
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on Securities of such series until
maturity or redemption. (Article Ten)
 
     For federal income tax purposes, there is a substantial risk that any
deposit of cash and/or U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government
Securities with respect to which the Company shall have elected to satisfy and
fully discharge its obligations with respect to any series of Securities could
be treated as a taxable exchange of such Securities for interests in the trust
(or, alternatively, for an instrument representing indebtedness of the trust).
In that event, a holder could be required to recognize taxable gain or loss at
the time of such defeasance as if the Securities had been sold for an amount
equal to the sum of the amount of money and the fair market value of the U.S.
Government Obligations or Foreign Government Securities held in the defeasance
trust (or, alternatively, the value of the instrument). Thereafter, a holder
might be required to include in income the holder's share of the income, gain
and loss of the trust (or, alternatively, the trust might be considered a
separate taxable entity with respect to such items and with respect to the debt
instrument, in which case a holder might also be taxable on original issue
discount as well as interest on the instrument). Purchasers of the Securities
should consult their own advisors with respect to the more detailed tax
consequences to them of such deposit and discharge, including the applicability
and effect of tax laws other than federal income tax law.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Company may sell the Securities in any of four ways: (i) directly to
purchasers; (ii) through agents; (iii) through underwriters; or (iv) through
dealers.
 
     Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited directly by the Company or
by agents designated by the Company from time to time. Any such agent, who may
be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act of
1933, involved in the offer or sale of the Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by the
Company to such agent will be set forth, in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless
otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting
on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Agents may be
customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company in
the ordinary course of business.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   38
 
     If an underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale, the Company
will execute an underwriting, purchase or agency agreement with such
underwriters at the time of sale to them and the names of the underwriters and
the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement,
which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the Securities in
respect of which this Prospectus is delivered to the public.
 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Securities in respect of which
this Prospectus is delivered, the Company will sell such Securities to such
dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell such Securities to the public
at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
 
     Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under the relevant
agreements to indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
agents or underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase
Securities from the Company at the public offering price set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts ("Contracts")
providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the Prospectus
Supplement. Each Contract will be for an amount not less than, and unless the
Company otherwise agrees the aggregate principal amount of Securities sold
pursuant to Contracts shall be not more than, the respective amounts stated in
the Prospectus Supplement. Institutions with which Contracts, when authorized,
may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension
funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other
institutions but shall in all cases be subject to the approval of the Company.
Contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that the purchase by an
institution of the Securities covered by its Contract shall not at the time of
delivery be prohibited under the laws of any jurisdiction in the United States
to which such institution is subject. A commission indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement will be paid to underwriters or agents soliciting purchases of
Securities pursuant to Contracts accepted by the Company.
 
     The place and time of delivery for the Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
   
     The legality of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered will be passed on for the Company by James H. Agger, Esq., Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, or Robert F. Gerkens,
Esq., Assistant General Counsel of the Company, and for the underwriters, if
any, by Cravath, Swaine & Moore, Worldwide Plaza, 825 Eighth Avenue, New York,
New York 10019. The tax disclosure set forth under "U.S. Federal Income Tax
Considerations" on pages S-20 through S-28 of the Prospectus Supplement has been
passed on for the Company by Cornelius P. Powell, Esq., Vice President -- Taxes
of the Company. Messrs. Agger, Gerkens and Powell, in their capacities
indicated, are paid salaries by the Company, they are participants in various
employee benefit plans offered to employees of the Company generally and each
owns shares of common stock of the Company and participates in the Company's
long-term incentive program, which entitles executives to stock options and
deferred stock units. Cravath, Swaine & Moore from time to time acts as special
counsel for the Company.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
   
     The financial statements and the related supporting schedules for the year
ended September 30, 1994, incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement, have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of said firm as
experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   39
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     NO DEALER, SALESMAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS OR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT IN
CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE
ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS OR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED
BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY AGENT, DEALER OR UNDERWRITER. NEITHER THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT, NOR THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS NOR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT SHALL
CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE
SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH STATE. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS OR ANY PRICING SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME
DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO THE DATE HEREOF.
 
       ------------------------
 
           TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                             PAGE
          Prospectus Supplement
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
Description of Notes........................   S-2
Special Provisions Relating to
  Multi-Currency Notes......................  S-15
Foreign Currency and Other Risks............  S-17
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations......  S-20
Plan of Distribution........................  S-28
 
                    Prospectus
Available Information.......................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference.................................     2
The Company.................................     2
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.........     3
Use of Proceeds.............................     3
Description of Securities...................     3
Plan of Distribution........................     8
Legal Opinions..............................     9
Experts.....................................     9
</TABLE>
    
 

                                  $400,000,000
 
                    [AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS, INC. LOGO]

                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES,
                                    SERIES D

             ------------------------------------------------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                                  , 1995
                                      AND
                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
                                                  , 1995
             ------------------------------------------------------

                                LEHMAN BROTHERS
                              GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   40
 
                PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
   
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                 <C>
        Registration Fee..................................................  $137,931
        Printing Fees.....................................................    30,000*
        Legal Fees........................................................    35,000*
        Accountants' Fees.................................................    25,000*
        Rating Agency Fees................................................    50,000*
        Fees and Expenses of Trustee......................................    30,000*
        Blue Sky Fees and Expenses........................................     5,000*
        Miscellaneous.....................................................    22,069*
                                                                            --------
                  Total...................................................  $335,000*
                                                                            ========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
     * Estimated.
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware Corporation Law gives corporations the power to
indemnify officers and directors under certain circumstances.
 
     Article Ninth of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
contains provisions which provide for indemnification of certain persons
(including officers and directors). The Restated Certificate of Incorporation is
filed as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1987.
 
     The Company maintains insurance that generally insures the officers and
directors of the Company and its subsidiaries (as defined in said policy)
against liabilities incurred in such capacities, and insures the Company with
respect to amounts to which officers and directors become entitled as
indemnification payments from the Company, subject to certain specified
exclusions and deductible and maximum amounts. The Company also maintains a
policy of insurance that insures, among others, certain officers and directors
of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries against liabilities incurred for
Breach of Fiduciary Duty (as defined in said policy) with respect to their
performance of their duties and responsibilities in connection with certain
pension and retirement plans of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries,
subject to certain specified exclusions and deductible and maximum amounts.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.
 
     The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement:
 
   
<TABLE>
        <S>             <C>
        Exhibit  1      -- Form of Agency Agreement for Medium-Term Notes, Series D.*
        Exhibit  4(a)   -- Indenture dated as of January 10, 1995, between the Company and
                           First Fidelity Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to
                           the Securities.*
                   (b)  -- Form of Fixed Rate Medium-Term Note, Series D.
                   (c)  -- Form of Floating Rate Medium-Term Note, Series D.
                   (d)  -- Form of Fixed Rate Currency Indexed Medium-Term Note, Series D.
                   (e)  -- Form of S&P 500 Linked Medium-Term Note, Series D.
        Exhibit 5       -- Opinion of Company counsel as to legality of the Securities to be
                           issued.*
        Exhibit 12      -- Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed as
                           Exhibit (a)(12) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
                           the quarter ended December 31, 1994, and incorporated herein by
                           reference).
        Exhibit 23(a)   -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. (See page II-6).
                   (b)  -- Consent of Company counsel.
        Exhibit 24      -- Power of Attorney.*
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   41
 
   
<TABLE>
        <S>             <C>
        Exhibit 25      -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the
                        Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of First Fidelity Bank, National
                          Association, as Trustee.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement.
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
THE UNDERSIGNED REGISTRANT HEREBY UNDERTAKES:
 
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of
the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
registration statement:
 
          (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;
 
          (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
     registration statement;
 
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in this registration statement or any
     material change to such information in this registration statement;
 
provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section
13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in this registration statement.
 
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby further undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth or described in Item 15 of this
registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in
the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   42
 
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
     of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part
     of a registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the
     form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
     (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part
     of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of
     prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to
     the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that
     time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   43
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Allentown and Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania on the 17th day of April, 1995.
    
 
                                             AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                                                         (Issuer)
 
                                          By         /s/ G. A. WHITE
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                 (G. A. White, Senior Vice President -- Finance)
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on April 17, 1995.
    
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   SIGNATURE                                     TITLE
                   --------                                      -----
 
<C>                                               <S>                                 <C>
              /s/ HAROLD A. WAGNER                Director and Chairman of
- --------------------------------------------        the Board (Principal
              (Harold A. Wagner)                    Executive Officer)
 
                 /s/ G. A. WHITE                  Senior Vice President -- Finance
  -------------------------------------------       (Principal Financial Officer)
                 (G. A. White)
 
               /s/ PAUL E. HUCK                   Corporate Controller
  ------------------------------------------        (Principal Accounting Officer)
                (Paul E. Huck)
 
                           *                      Director
  -----------------------------------------
               (Dexter F. Baker)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------- 
              (Tom H. Barrett)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------
             (L. Paul Bremer, III)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------
              (Will M. Caldwell)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------
                (Robert Cizik)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------
                (Ruth M. Davis)
 
                           *                      Director
  ---------------------------------------
             (Terry R. Lautenbach)
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   44
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   SIGNATURE                                    TITLE
                   ---------                                    -----
 
<C>                                               <S>                                 <C>
                     *                            Director
- -------------------------------------------
               (Judith Rodin)
 
                     *                            Director
- -------------------------------------------
               (Takeo Shiina)
</TABLE>
 
   
* G. A. White, Senior Vice President -- Finance, by signing his name hereto,
  does sign this document on behalf of the above-noted individuals pursuant to a
  power of attorney duly executed by such individuals, which power of attorney
  was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as Exhibit 24 hereto.
    
 
                                                     /s/ G. A. WHITE
                                              -------------------------------

                                              (G. A. White, Attorney-in-Fact)
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   45
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
To: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.:
 
   
     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement No. 33-57357
of our reports dated 3 November 1994 included or incorporated by reference in
the Annual Report of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., on Form 10-K for the year
ended 30 September 1994 and to all references to our Firm included in this
Registration Statement.
    
 
                                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
   
17 April 1995
    
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   46
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SEQUENTIALLY
        EXHIBIT                                                                    NUMBERED
        NUMBER                                EXHIBIT                                PAGE
    --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------
    <S>             <C>                                                          <C>
    Exhibit  1      -- Form of Agency Agreement for Medium-Term Notes, Series
                       D.*
    Exhibit  4(a)   -- Indenture dated as of January 10, 1995, between the
                       Company and First Fidelity Bank, National Association, as
                       Trustee, relating to the Securities.*
              (b)   -- Form of Fixed Rate Medium-Term Note, Series D.
              (c)   -- Form of Floating Rate Medium-Term Note, Series D.
              (d)   -- Form of Fixed Rate Currency Indexed Medium-Term Note,
                       Series D.
              (e)   -- Form of S&P 500 Linked Medium-Term Note, Series D.
    Exhibit  5      -- Opinion of Company counsel as to legality of the
                       Securities to be issued.*
    Exhibit 12      -- Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed
                       as Exhibit (a)(12) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
                       10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994, and
                       incorporated herein by reference).
    Exhibit 23(a)   -- Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP. (See page II-6).
              (b)   -- Consent of Company counsel.
    Exhibit 24      -- Power of Attorney.*
    Exhibit 25      -- Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under
                       the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of First Fidelity Bank,
                       National Association, as Trustee.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement.
    

<PAGE>   1


                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]


                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                           Medium-Term Note, Series D
                Due from 9 Months to 20 Years from Date of Issue
                                  (Fixed Rate)

Registered                                                      Principal Amount

No. FX-                                                         CUSIP
Global Note:  __ Yes  __ No
Depositary:

         [Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the Issuer
or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as
is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

         [THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY AS REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERENCED.  UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT
BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

IF APPLICABLE THE "TOTAL AMOUNT OF OID," "YIELD TO MATURITY" AND "INITIAL
ACCRUAL PERIOD OID" (COMPUTED UNDER THE APPROXIMATE METHOD) BELOW WILL BE
COMPLETED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF APPLYING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX ORIGINAL
ISSUE DISCOUNT ("OID") RULES.

Issue Price:                                       Record Dates:

Interest Rate:                                     Initial Accrual Period OID:

Interest Payment Dates:                            Initial Redemption Date:

Original Issue Date:                               Repayment Option Period(s):

Maturity Date:                                     Specified Currency:

Repayment Date(s):                                      U.S. Dollars  [    ]

Total Amount of OID:                                    Other:  _______________

Yield to Maturity:                                 U.S. Dollar Payments Option:


         If applicable as described above, the Optional Redemption Price
initially shall be ________% of the principal amount of this Note to be
redeemed and shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date
by ______% of

                                       1

<PAGE>   2

the principal amount to be redeemed until the Optional Redemption
Price is 100% of such principal amount, together with interest thereon to the
date fixed for redemption.

         AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to


, or registered assigns, the principal sum of

                                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

on the Maturity Date specified above or upon earlier redemption or repayment at
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, State of New York, or such other location or locations as may be
provided for pursuant to the Indenture referred to herein, in such coin,
currency or currency unit specified above as at the time of payment shall be
legal tender for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest
semiannually on each Interest Payment Date in each year and on the Maturity
Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment; commencing with the first
Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above
on said principal sum at the Interest Rate specified above from the most recent
date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or, if no interest
has been paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date, until the
principal hereof becomes due and payable; provided, however, that any payment
of principal or interest to be made on an Interest Payment Date, on the
Maturity Date, on a date fixed for redemption or on a Repayment Date which is
not a Business Day (as hereinafter defined) shall be made on the next succeeding
Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment
Date, on the Maturity Date, on the date fixed for redemption or on the
Repayment Date, as the case may be, and no additional interest shall accrue as
a result of such delayed payment.  For purposes of this Note, "Business Day"
means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday
nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or
regulation to close in New York, New York, or, if this Note is denominated in a
Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars,
        


                     ___________________________________________________________
                     Principal Financial Center of Country of Specified Currency

or, if this Note is denominated in European Currency Units, Brussels, Belgium.
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date will be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one
or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the Record
Date (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment
Date and interest payable on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or
repayment will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable, except
that, if this Note is issued between a Record Date and the initial Interest
Payment Date relating to such Record Date, interest for the period beginning on
the Original Issue Date and ending on such initial Interest Payment Date shall
be paid to the person to whom this Note shall have been originally issued.
Payment of principal and interest on this Note will be made, if at maturity or
upon earlier redemption, then on the Maturity Date or the date fixed for
redemption, as applicable, upon surrender of this Note at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee in The City of New York, and if upon repayment prior to
maturity, then on the applicable Repayment Date, provided that the holder shall
have complied with the requirements for repayment set forth on the reverse
hereof.  All such payments shall be made in immediately available funds,
provided that this Note is presented to the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee in The City of New York in time for the Trustee to make such payments in
such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.  Any such payments made in
a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars shall be made by wire transfer to
an account maintained by the holder, as designated by the holder by written
notice to the Trustee at least 15 calendar days prior to the date fixed for
payment, with a bank located in the country of the Specified Currency.  Payment
of interest on this Note (other than interest paid on the Maturity Date or upon
earlier redemption or repayment) will be made by check (from an account at a
bank outside of the United States if such check is payable in a Specified
Currency other than U.S. Dollars) mailed to the address of the person entitled
thereto appearing on the register for the Notes on the applicable Record Date.
At the option of the Issuer or a holder of Notes (as defined on the reverse
hereof) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5 million or the equivalent
in a Specified Currency,

                                       2

<PAGE>   3

payment of interest on this Note (other than interest paid on the Maturity Date
or upon earlier redemption or repayment) will be made by wire transfer to an
account maintained by such holder with a bank located in the United States for a
payment in U.S. Dollars or with a bank located in the country of the Specified
Currency for other payments, provided that any such holder selecting such option
shall have designated such account by written notice to the Trustee no later
than the Record Date preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date. Any
interest not punctually paid or duly provided for shall be payable as provided
in the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

         Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months.

         REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE SET
FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL HAVE THE SAME
EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

         This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed
by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse
hereof.

                   AGENCY FOR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND PAYMENT:
                   FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be signed
in its name by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers, and
has caused a facsimile of its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or 
imprinted hereon.

Dated:                                      AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
       ---------------------

                                            By:
                                               --------------------------------
                                                          Chairman of the Board

(CORPORATE SEAL)

                                            Attest:
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                   Vice President and Secretary

                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

FIRST FIDELITY BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


By:
   ---------------------------
   Authorized Officer


                                       3

<PAGE>   4
                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer (hereinafter called the
"Securities") of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an indenture dated as of January 10, 1995 (the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer to First Fidelity Bank,
National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities
thereunder of the Trustee, the Issuer and the holders (the words "holders" or
"holder" meaning the registered holders or registered holder of the
Securities).  The Securities may be issued in one or more series, which
different series (and which securities issued within each series) may be issued
in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear
interest (if any) at different rates, may be subject to different redemption or
repayment provisions (if any), may be subject to different sinking fund or
analogous provisions (if any), may be subject to different Events of Default
(as defined in the Indenture) and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture
provided.  This Note is one of a series designated as "Medium-Term Notes,
Series D, Due from 9 Months to 20 Years from Date of Issue" (the "Notes") of
the Issuer, limited in aggregate principal amount to U.S. $400,000,000, or the
equivalent thereof in the Specified Currency or Currencies.

         In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such
declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and
subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66-2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture) of all series to be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as in
the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any provisions
to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the
Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the rights
of the holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, however, that no
such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security,
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of
payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof,
or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security
that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof
pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Indenture or the amount thereof provable in
bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Indenture, or impair or affect the
right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or the
right of repayment, if any, at the option of the Securityholder without the
consent of the holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid
percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is
required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holder
of each Security so affected.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this
Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and
binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and
any Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective
of whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other
Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in
the coin, currency or currency unit herein prescribed unless in accordance with
Section 10.1(c) or Section 10.2 of the Indenture the Issuer shall have
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds
in cash and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities
(each as defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay interest due or
to become due on the Notes to, and to pay the principal and any premium due on
the Notes upon, the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment.

         The Issuer shall be deemed to have paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes when the same shall have become due and payable
if in accordance with Section 10.1(c) or Section 10.2(A) the Issuer shall have
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds
in cash and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities
(each as defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay


                                       4

<PAGE>   5

interest due or to become due on the Notes to, and to pay the principal and any
premium due on the Notes upon, the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or
repayment of the outstanding Notes.

         The Notes are issuable in fully registered form without coupons in the
minimum denomination of U.S. $100,000 or the equivalent thereof in the Specified
Currency, and in integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof or 10,000
units of the Specified Currency.

         If an Initial Redemption Date is specified on the face hereof, this
Note may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, as a whole or from time to
time in part, on any date on or after such Initial Redemption Date and prior to
maturity, upon mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Notes to
be redeemed at their last registered addresses, all as further provided in the
Indenture, at the Optional Redemption Prices, if any, specified on the face
hereof (expressed in percentages of the principal amount) together, in each
case, with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.

         If a Repayment Date is specified or Repayment Dates are specified on 
the face hereof, this Note will be repayable at the option of the holder, in 
whole or from time to time in part, on such Repayment Date or Repayment Dates 
at 100% of the portion of the principal amount to be repaid, together with 
interest accrued on such portion to the Repayment Date on which repayment is 
sought.  In order for this Note to be repaid, the Issuer must receive at the 
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, during the period from and including the first day of the Repayment
Option Period for the applicable Repayment Date to and including the
close of business on the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or if such
day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day):  (i) this Note
with the form below entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" duly completed, or
(ii) a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter from a member of a
national securities exchange  or the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or a trust company in the United States of
America, dated no later than the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or
if such day is not a business day, the next succeeding business day) setting
forth the name of the holder of the Note, the principal amount of the Note, the
portion of the principal amount of the Note to be repaid, a statement that the
option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the
Note to be repaid in whole or in part (with the form entitled "Option to Elect
Repayment" on the reverse of the Note duly completed) will be received at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, not later than five business days after the date of such telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter and such Note and form duly completed
must be received at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York, by such fifth business day.  Effective
exercise of any repayment option by the holder of any Note shall be
irrevocable.  No transfer or exchange of any Note (or, in the event that any
Note is to be repaid in part, such portion of the Note to be repaid) will be
permitted after exercise of a repayment option.  A repayment option may be
exercised by the holder of a Note for less than the entire principal amount of
the Note, provided that the principal amount which is to be repaid is equal to
$1,000 or any integral multiple thereof for Notes denominated in U.S. Dollars
or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency or any integral multiple thereof for
Notes denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars.  All
questions as to the validity, eligibility (including time of receipt) and
acceptance of any Note for repayment will be determined by the Issuer, whose
determination will be final, binding and non-appealable.  For purposes of this
provision, "business day" means any day other than Saturday and Sunday or a
legal holiday or any day on which banking institutions in New York, New York
are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency as is
designated by the Issuer in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a
new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal
amount and like tenor will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,
subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for
any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith; provided,
however, that if this Note is a Global Note (as specified on the face hereof),
this Note is exchangeable only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that it
is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for this Note or if at any time
the Depositary ceases to be in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statutes or regulations, and the Issuer
does not appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days after the Issuer received
such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility or (y) the Issuer in its sole
discretion determines that this Note shall be exchanged for certificated Notes
in definitive form, provided that the definitive Notes so issued in exchange for
this


                                       5

<PAGE>   6

Note shall be in authorized denominations and be of like aggregate principal
amount and tenure and terms as the portion of this Note to be exchanged.

         If "yes" is specified under "U.S. Dollar Payments Option" on the face
hereof, the registered holder of this Note shall be entitled to receive payments
in U.S. Dollars at the Exchange Rate determined as set forth in the Indenture by
notifying the Trustee at the time and in the manner described therein.  Costs,
if any, associated with the conversion of the Specified Currency into U.S.
Dollars shall be borne by such holder through deduction from payments required
to be made to such holder on this Note.

         The Issuer will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in
connection with making payments on this Note by wire transfer, but any tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon payments will be borne by the
holder hereof.

         The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may
deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note
(whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or
on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and subject to the
provisions on the face hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and
neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture or in any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer
or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or
through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any
legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration
for the issue hereof.

         Undefined terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.



                           OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Issuer
to repay the within Note (or the portion hereof specified below) pursuant to
its terms at a price equal to 100% of the portion of the principal amount of
the Note to be repaid together with interest accrued thereon to the Repayment
Date, to the undersigned at

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
        (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)


         If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be
repaid, specify the portion thereof which the holder elects to have repaid
_____________________________________________; and specify the denomination or
denominations (which shall be authorized denominations) of the Notes to be
issued to the holder for the portion of the within Note not being repaid (in
the absence of any such specification, one such Note will be issued for the
portion not being repaid):


________________________________________________________________________________


Date:__________________________              ___________________________________
                                                                 (Signature)



                                       6

<PAGE>   7

                                 ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
       TEN COM      --as tenants in common
       TEN ENT      --as tenants by the entireties
       JT TEN       --as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as
                      tenants in common

         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT        --...........Custodian..........
                                      (Cust)             (Minor)
                                   under Uniform Gifts to Minors
                                   Act..................
                                             (State)


     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
________________________________________________________________________________

  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
       IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________
             PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note of AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and hereby does irrevocably
constitute and appoint



________________________________________________________________________Attorney
to transfer the said Note on the books of the within-named Issuer, with full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated________________________          _________________________________________
                                       NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment
                                       must correspond with the name as written
                                       upon the face of the certificate in every
                                       particular, without alteration or
                                       enlargement or any change whatever.







                                       7

<PAGE>   1


                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                           Medium-Term Note, Series D
                DUE FROM 9 MONTHS TO 20 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
                                (FLOATING RATE)

Registered                                                     Principal Amount

No. FL-                                                        CUSIP

Global Note:        Yes        No
               ---        ---          
Depositary:                      


         [Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the Issuer
or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made
to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

         [THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY AS REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERENCED.  UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT
BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

IF APPLICABLE THE "TOTAL AMOUNT OF OID," "ORIGINAL YIELD TO MATURITY" AND
"INITIAL ACCRUAL PERIOD OID" (COMPUTED UNDER THE APPROXIMATE METHOD) BELOW WILL
BE COMPLETED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF APPLYING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ("OID") RULES.


Issue Price:                                        Base Rate:

Original Issue Date:                                Index Maturity:

Maturity Date:                                      Reset Period:

Specified Currency:                                 Spread (plus or minus):

     U.S. Dollars [   ]

     Other:                                         Spread Multiplier:

U.S. Dollar Payments Option:                        Maximum Interest Rate:

Initial Redemption Date:                            Minimum Interest Rate:

Interest Determination Dates:                       Initial Accrual Period OID:

Interest Reset Dates:                               Original Yield to Maturity:


                                      -1-


<PAGE>   2

Initial Interest Rate                               Interest Payment Dates:

Repayment Date(s):                                  Total Amount of OID:

Repayment Option Period(s):                         Calculation Agent:

                                                    

                                                    



         If applicable as described above, the Optional Redemption Price
initially shall be ________% of the principal amount of this Note to be redeemed
and shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by
_________% of the principal amount to be redeemed until the Optional Redemption
Price is 100% of such principal amount, together with interest thereon to the
date fixed for redemption.

         AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to                     or
registered assigns, the principal sum of                                 
                                         
                                                                PRINCIPAL AMOUNT

on the Maturity Date specified above or upon earlier redemption or repayment at
the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York, State of New York, or such other location or locations as may be
provided for pursuant to the Indenture referred to herein in such coin, currency
or currency unit specified above as at the time of payment shall be legal tender
for the payment of public and private debts, and to pay interest on said
principal sum from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly
provided for, or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the
Original Issue Date until the principal hereof becomes due and payable, at a
rate per annum equal to the Initial Interest Rate from the Original Issue Date
until the first Interest Reset Date following such Original Issue Date and
thereafter at a rate determined in accordance with the provisions on the reverse
hereof under the heading "Determination of Commercial Paper Rate,"
"Determination of LIBOR" or "Determination of Treasury Rate," depending upon
whether the Base Rate specified above is the Commercial Paper Rate, LIBOR or the
Treasury Rate, respectively.  The Issuer will pay interest on this Note on each
Interest Payment Date commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next
succeeding the Original Issue Date, and on the Maturity Date or upon earlier
redemption or repayment; provided, however, that any payment of principal or
interest to be made on an Interest Payment Date, on the Maturity Date, on a date
fixed for redemption or on a Repayment Date which is not a Business Day (as
hereinafter defined) shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, on the Maturity
Date, on the date fixed for redemption or on the Repayment Date, as the case 
may be, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed 
payment, except that, if the Base Rate in respect of this Note is LIBOR, as 
specified above, and such Business Day falls in the next calendar month, such 
payment will be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.  For purposes 
of this Note, "Business Day" means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, 
that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are 
authorized or required by law or regulation to close in New York, New York, 
or, if this Note is denominated in a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars,

                   _____________________________________________________________
                     Principal Financial Center of Country of Specified Currency

or, if the Base Rate specified above is LIBOR, the City of London, England, or,
if this Note is denominated in European Currency Units, Brussels, Belgium.
"London Banking Day" means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. Dollars
are transacted in the London interbank market.  Except as provided above and in
the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof, interest payments will be made
on the Interest Payment Dates specified above.  The interest so payable, and
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will be paid
to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is
registered at the close of business on the 15th day (whether or not a Business
Day) immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (a "Record Date") and
interest


                                      -2-

<PAGE>   3

payable on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment will be
payable to the person to whom principal is payable, except that, if this Note is
issued between a Record Date and the initial Interest Payment Date relating to
such Record Date, interest for the period beginning on the Original Issue Date
and ending on such initial Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the person to
whom this Note shall have been originally issued.  Payment of principal and
interest on this Note will be made, if at maturity or upon earlier redemption,
then on the Maturity Date or the date fixed for redemption, as applicable, upon
surrender of this Note at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City
of New York, and if upon repayment prior to maturity, then on the applicable
Repayment Date, provided that the holder shall have complied with the
requirements for repayment set forth on the reverse hereof.  All such payments
shall be made in immediately available funds, provided that this Note is
presented to the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York
in time for the Trustee to make such payments in such funds in accordance with
its normal procedures.  Any such payments made in a Specified Currency other
than U.S. Dollars shall be made by wire transfer to an account maintained by the
holder, as designated by the holder by written notice to the Trustee at least 15
calendar days prior to the date fixed for payment, with a bank located in the
country of the Specified Currency.  Payment of interest on this Note (other than
interest paid on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment) will
be made by check (from an account at a bank outside of the United States if such
check is payable in a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars) mailed to the
address of the person entitled thereto appearing on the register for the Notes
on the applicable Record Date.  At the option of the Issuer or a holder of Notes
(as defined on the reverse hereof) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5
million or the equivalent in a Specified Currency, payment of interest on this
Note (other than interest paid on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption
or repayment) will be made by wire transfer to an account maintained by such
holder with a bank located in the United States for a payment in U.S. Dollars or
with a bank located in the country of the Specified Currency for other payments,
provided that any such holder selecting such option shall have designated such
account by written notice to the Trustee no later than the Record Date preceding
the applicable Interest Payment Date.  Any interest not punctually paid or duly
provided for shall be payable as provided in the Indenture referred to on the
reverse hereof.

        REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS ON THE REVERSE
HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL FOR ALL PURPOSES HAVE THE SAME EFFECT
AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

        This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed
by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse
hereof.

                AGENCY FOR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND PAYMENT:
                FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be signed
in its name by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers, and
has caused its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted hereon by
facsimile.

Dated:                                      AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
       ------------------------

                                            By: 
                                               --------------------------------
                                                          Chairman of the Board



(CORPORATE SEAL)                            Attest:
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                   Vice President and Secretary



                                      -3-

<PAGE>   4

                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION


This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

FIRST FIDELITY BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


By: ______________________________
Authorized Officer

                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer (hereinafter called the
"Securities") of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an indenture dated as of January 10, 1995 the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer to First Fidelity Bank,
National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Trustee, the Issuer and the holders (the words "holders" or "holder"
meaning the registered holders or registered holder of the Securities). The
Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series (and
which securities issued within each series) may be issued in various aggregate
principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at
different rates, may be subject to different redemption or repayment provisions
(if any), may be subject to different sinking fund or analogous provisions (if
any), may be subject to different Events of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided.  This Note is
one of a series designated as "Medium-Term Notes, Series D, Due from 9 Months to
20 Years from Date of Issue" (the "Notes") of the Issuer, limited in aggregate
principal amount to U.S. $400,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in the
Specified Currency or Currencies.

         The rate of interest on this Note will be reset daily, weekly,
monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually (such type of period being the
"Reset Period" for this Note, and the first day of each Reset Period being an
"Interest Reset Date"), as specified on the face hereof.  The Interest Reset
Dates will be, if this Note has a daily Reset Period, each Business Day; if this
Note has a weekly Reset Period and a Base Rate other than the Treasury Rate,
Wednesday of each week; if this Note has a weekly Reset Period and the Base Rate
is the Treasury Rate, Tuesday of each week; if this Note has a monthly Reset
Period, the third Wednesday of each month; if this Note has a quarterly Reset
Period, the third Wednesday of each March, June, September and December; if this
Note has a semiannual Reset Period, the third Wednesday of each of two months of
each year specified on the face hereof under "Interest Reset Dates"; and if this
Note has an annual Reset Period, the third Wednesday of one month of each year
specified on the face hereof under "Interest Reset Dates"; provided, however,
that the interest rate in effect for the ten days immediately prior to the
Maturity Date, or, with respect to any portion of the principal amount hereof to
be redeemed or repaid, if applicable, the date of redemption or Repayment Date,
of this Note will be that in effect on the tenth day preceding such Maturity
Date or such date of redemption or Repayment Date. If an Interest Reset Date
would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date
shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day, except that, if the
Base Rate is LIBOR, as indicated on the face hereof, if such Business Day is in
the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset Date shall be the
immediately preceding Business Day.

         Except as provided below, interest on this Note will be payable, if
this Note resets daily, weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month
or on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year,
as specified on the face hereof; if this Note resets quarterly, on the third
Wednesday of March, June, September and December of each year; if this Note
resets semiannually, on the third Wednesday of each of two months of each year
specified on the face hereof; and if this Note resets annually, on the third
Wednesday of one month of each year specified on the face hereof (each such day
being an "Interest Payment Date").  If an Interest Payment Date with


                                      -4-

<PAGE>   5

respect to this Note would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day,
such Interest Payment Date will be the following day that is a Business Day,
except that, if the Base Rate is LIBOR, as indicated on the face hereof, if such
Business Day falls in the next calendar month, such Interest Payment Date will
be the immediately preceding Business Day.

         Unless otherwise indicated on the face hereof, each payment of
interest hereon will include interest accrued to but excluding the applicable
Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that if the interest rate hereon is
reset daily or weekly, interest payable on any Interest Payment Date, other than
interest payable on any date on which principal for this Note is payable, will
include interest accrued to and including the immediately preceding Record Date.
Accrued interest from the date of issue or from the last date to which interest
has been paid will be calculated by multiplying the face amount of this Note by
an accrued interest factor.  This accrued interest factor is computed by adding
the interest factors calculated for each day from the date of issue, or from the
last date to which interest has been paid, to the date for which accrued
interest is being calculated.  The interest factor (expressed as a decimal
rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point) for each such day is computed by dividing the interest rate
(expressed as a decimal rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) applicable to such date by 360, if the
Base Rate is the Commercial Paper Rate or LIBOR, as indicated on the face
hereof, or by the actual number of days in the year if the Base Rate is the
Treasury Rate.

         The interest rate on this Note during any Reset Period will in no
event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may
be modified by United States law of general application or the Maximum Interest
Rate, if any, specified on the face hereof and will not be lower than the
Minimum Interest Rate, if any, specified on the face hereof.

         DETERMINATION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATE.  If the Base Rate is the
Commercial Paper Rate, as indicated on the face hereof, the "Commercial Paper
Rate" for each Reset Period will be determined by the Calculation Agent as of
the Business Day prior to the Interest Reset Date that commences such Reset
Period  (a "Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date") and shall be, with
respect to any Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date, the Money Market
Yield (as defined below) of the rate on that date for commercial paper having
the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof placed on behalf of industrial
issuers whose corporate bonds are rated  "AA" or the equivalent, from a
nationally recognized securities rating agency as such rate is made available
by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for such date.  In the event that such
rate is not made available by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York by 3:00
P.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date,
then the Commercial Paper Rate for such Commercial Paper Interest Determination
Date shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be the Money Market
Yield of the arithmetic mean (each as rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) of the offered rates for
such commercial paper quoted as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such
Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date by three leading dealers of
commercial paper in The City of New York selected, after consultation with the
Issuer by the Calculation Agent; provided, however, that if the dealers
selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in
this sentence, the Commercial Paper Rate with respect to such Commercial Paper
Interest Determination Date will be the Commercial Paper Rate in effect on such
Commercial Paper Interest Determination Date.

         "Money Market Yield" shall be a yield (expressed as a percentage
rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point) calculated in accordance with the following formula:

                        Money Market Yield =      D  X  360  X  100
                                                  -----------------
                                                   360 - (D  X  M)

where "D" refers to the per annum rate for the commercial paper, quoted on a
bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and "M" refers to the actual
number of days in the interest period for which interest is being calculated.

         The interest rate for each Reset Period shall be determined by the
Calculation Agent  and shall be the Commercial Paper Rate applicable to such
Reset Period plus or minus the Spread or multiplied by the Spread Multiplier,
as indicated on the face hereof; provided, however, that the interest rate in
effect for the period from the


                                      -5-
<PAGE>   6

Original Issue Date to the first Interest Reset Date will be the Initial
Interest Rate and the interest rate in effect for the ten days immediately prior
to the Maturity Date, or, with respect to any portion of the principal amount
hereof to be redeemed or repaid, if applicable, the date of redemption or
Repayment Date, will be that in effect on the tenth day preceding such Maturity
Date or such date of redemption or Repayment Date.

         DETERMINATION OF LIBOR.  If the Base Rate is LIBOR, as indicated on
the face hereof, "LIBOR" for each Reset Period will be determined by the
Calculation Agent  as follows:

                 (i)      On the second London Banking Day prior to the
         Interest Reset Date that commences such Reset Period (the "LIBOR
         Interest Determination Date"), LIBOR will be, as specified on the face
         hereof, either (a) the arithmetic mean of the offered rates for
         deposits having the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof,
         commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following
         such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, that appear on the Reuters
         Screen LIBO Page as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date, if at least two such offered rates appear on the
         Reuters Screen LIBO Page ("LIBOR Reuters"), or (b) the rate for
         deposits having the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof,
         commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following
         such LIBOR Interest Determination Date, that appears on Telerate Page
         3750 as of 11:00 A.M., London Time, on such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date ("LIBOR Telerate").  "Reuters Screen LIBO Page"
         means the display designated as page "LIBO" on the Reuters Monitor
         Money Rate Service (or such other page as may replace page LIBO on
         that service for the purpose of displaying London Interbank offered
         rates of major banks).  "Telerate Page 3750" means the display
         designated as page "3750" on the Telerate Service (or such other page
         as may replace the 3750 page on that service or such other service or
         services as may be nominated by the British Bankers' Association for
         the purpose of displaying London Interbank offered rates for
         deposits).  If neither LIBOR Reuters nor LIBOR Telerate is specified
         on the face hereof, LIBOR will be determined as if LIBOR Telerate had
         been specified.  If at least two such offered rates appear on the 
         Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the rate in respect of such LIBOR Interest 
         Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of such offered rates 
         as determined by the Calculation Agent.  If fewer than two offered 
         rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, or if no rate appears 
         on Telerate Page 3750, as applicable, LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR 
         Interest Determination Date will be determined as if the parties had 
         specified the rate described in (ii) below.

                 (ii)     On any LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which
         fewer than two offered rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page as
         specified in (i)(a) above, or on which no rate appears on Telerate Page
         3750, as specified in (i)(b) above, as applicable, LIBOR will be
         determined on the basis of the rates at which deposits having the
         Index Maturity designated on the face hereof are offered at
         approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date by four major banks in the London Interbank market
         (the "Reference Banks") selected, after consultation with the Issuer,
         by the Calculation Agent  to prime banks in the London Interbank
         market having the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof,
         commencing on the second London Banking Day immediately following such
         LIBOR Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount equal to
         an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that is representative for a
         single transaction in such market at such time.  The Calculation Agent
         will request the principal London office of each of such Reference
         Banks to provide a quotation of its rate.  If at least two such
         quotations are provided, LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward, if
         necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
         point) of such quotations.  If fewer that two quotations are provided,
         LIBOR in respect of such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be the
         arithmetic mean (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest one
         hundred-thousandth of a percentage point) of the rates quoted at
         approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date by three major banks in The City of New York
         selected, after consultation with the Issuer, by the Calculation Agent
         for loans in U.S. Dollars to leading European banks having the Index
         Maturity designated on the face hereof, commencing on the second
         London Banking Day immediately following such LIBOR Interest
         Determination Date and in a principal amount equal to an amount of not
         less than $1,000,000 that is representative for a single transaction
         in such market at such time; provided, however, that if the banks in
         The City of New York selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent
         are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR with respect to
         such LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be LIBOR in effect on such
         LIBOR Interest Determination Date.


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   7

        The interest rate for each Reset Period shall be determined by the
Calculation Agent  and shall be LIBOR plus or minus the Spread or multiplied by
the Spread Multiplier, as indicated on the face hereof; provided, however, that
the interest rate in effect for the period from the Original Issue Date to the
first Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate and the interest
rate in effect for the ten days immediately prior to the Maturity Date, or, with
respect to any portion of the principal amount hereof to be redeemed or repaid,
if applicable, the date of redemption or Repayment Date, will be that in effect
on the tenth day preceding such Maturity Date or such date of redemption or
Repayment Date.

        DETERMINATION OF TREASURY RATE.  If the Base Rate is the Treasury
Rate, as indicated on the face hereof. the "Treasury Rate" with respect to any
Treasury Interest Determination Date (as defined below) will be the auction
average rate (expressed as a bond equivalent, rounded upward, if necessary, to
the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point on the basis of a year
of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) for the most
recent auction of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury bills")
having the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof, as made available by
the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  In the event that the results of the
auction of Treasury bills having the Index Maturity designated on the face
hereof are not made available as provided above by 3:00 P.M., New York City
time, on such Treasury Interest Determination Date or no such auction is held
in a particular week (or on the preceding Friday, if applicable), the Treasury
Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to
maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent, rounded upward, if necessary, to the
nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, on the basis of a year of
365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic
mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of 3:30 P.M. New York City time, on
such Treasury Interest Determination Date, of three leading primary U.S.
government securities dealers selected, after consultation with the Issuer, by
the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury bills with a remaining maturity
closest to the Index Maturity designated on the face hereof; provided, however,
that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent  are not
quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Treasury Rate with respect to such
Treasury Interest Determination Date will be the Treasury Rate in effect on
such Treasury Interest Determination Date.

        The "Treasury Interest Determination Date" will be the day of the week
in which the related Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills would
normally be auctioned.  Treasury bills are usually sold at auction on Monday of
each week unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the auction is
usually held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may be held on
the preceding Friday.  If, as the result of a legal holiday, an auction is so
held on the preceding Friday, such Friday will be the Treasury Interest
Determination Date pertaining to the Reset Period commencing in the next
succeeding week.  If an auction date shall fall on such an Interest Reset Date,
then such Interest Reset Date shall instead be the first Business Day
immediately following such auction date.

        The interest rate for each Reset Period shall be determined by the
Calculation Agent  and shall be the Treasury Rate plus or minus the Spread or
multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, as indicated on the face hereof, provided,
however, that the interest rate in effect for the period from the Original
Issue Date to the first Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate
and the interest rate in effect for the  ten days immediately prior to the
Maturity Date, or, with respect to any portion of the principal amount hereof
to be redeemed or repaid, if applicable, the date of redemption or Repayment
Date, will be that in effect on the tenth day preceding such Maturity Date or
such date of redemption or Repayment Date.

        The Trustee shall be the Calculation Agent, unless another Calculation
Agent is specified on the face hereof.  At the request of the holder hereof,
the Calculation Agent  will provide the interest rate then in effect and, if
determined, the interest rate which will become effective on the next Interest
Reset Date.

        In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such
declaration shall become, due and payable in the manner, with the effect and
subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

        The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture) of all series to be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as in
the Indenture provided, to execute

                                      -7-

<PAGE>   8

supplemental indentures adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or
eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental
indenture or modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the
Securities of each such series; provided, however, that no such supplemental
indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any Security, or reduce the
principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of
interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on redemption thereof, or reduce
the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would
be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to
Section 5.1 of the Indenture or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy
pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Indenture, or impair or affect the right of any
Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or the right of
repayment, if any, at the option of the Securityholder without the consent of
the holder of each Security so affected or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage
of Securities of any series, the consent of the holders  of which is required
for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holder of each
Security so affected.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note
(unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding
upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any
Notes which may be issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of
whether or not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin,
currency or currency unit herein prescribed unless in accordance with Section
10.1(c) or Section 10.2 of the Indenture the Issuer shall have irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds in cash
and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities (each as
defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay interest due or to become
due on the Notes to, and the principal and any premium due on the Notes upon,
the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment.

         The Issuer shall be deemed to have paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes when the same shall have become due and payable
if in accordance with Section 10.1(c) or Section 10.2(A), the Issuer shall have
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds
in cash and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities
(each as defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay interest due or
to become due on the Notes to, and to pay the principal and any premium due on
the Notes upon, the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment of the
outstanding Notes.

         The Notes are issuable in fully registered form without coupons in the
minimum denomination of U.S. $100,000 or the equivalent thereof in the
Specified Currency, and in integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof
or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency.

         If an Initial Redemption Date is specified on the face hereof, this
Note may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer as a whole, or from time to
time in part, on any date on or after such Initial Redemption Date and prior to
maturity, upon mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of Notes to
be redeemed at their last registered addresses, all as further provided in the
Indenture, at the Optional Redemption Prices, if any specified on the face
hereof (expressed in percentages of the principal amount) together, in each
case, with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.

         If a Repayment Date is specified or Repayment Dates are specified on
the face hereof, this Note will be repayable at the option of the holder, in
whole or from time to time in part, on such Repayment Date or Repayment Dates
at 100% of the portion of the principal amount to be repaid, together with
interest accrued on such portion to the Repayment Date on which repayment is
sought.  In order for this Note to be repaid, the Issuer must receive at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, during the period from and including the first day of the Repayment
Option Period for the applicable Repayment Date to and including the close of
business on the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or if such day is not
a business day, the next succeeding business day):  (i) this Note with the form
below entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" duly completed, or (ii) a telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter from a member of a national securities
exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a
commercial bank or a trust company in the United States of America, dated no
later than the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or if such day is not
a business day, the next succeeding business day) setting forth the name of the
holder of the Note, the principal amount of the Note, the portion of the
principal amount of the Note to be repaid, a statement that the option to elect
repayment is being

                                      -8-

<PAGE>   9

exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Note to be repaid in whole or in
part (with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse of the
Note duly completed) will be received at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, not later than five
business days after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or
letter and such Note and form duly completed must be received at the Corporate
Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York,
by such fifth business day.  Effective exercise of any repayment option by the
holder of any Note shall be irrevocable.  No transfer or exchange of any Note
(or, in the event that any Note is to be repaid in part, such portion of the
Note to be repaid) will be permitted after exercise of a repayment option.  A
repayment option may be exercised by the holder of a Note for less than the
entire principal amount of the Note, provided that the principal amount which
is to be repaid is equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof for Notes
denominated in U.S. Dollars or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency or any
integral multiple thereof for Notes denominated in a Specified Currency other
than U.S. Dollars.  All questions as to the validity, eligibility (including
time of receipt) and acceptance of any Note for repayment will be determined by
the Issuer, whose determination will be final, binding and non-appealable. For
purposes of this provision, "business day" means any day other than Saturday
and Sunday or a legal holiday or any day on which banking institutions in New
York, New York are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency as is
designated by the Issuer in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a
new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal
amount and like tenor will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,
subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for
any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith; provided,
however, that if this Note is a Global Note (as specified on the face hereof),
this Note is exchangeable only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that
it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for this Note or if at any
time the Depositary ceases to be in good standing under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statutes or regulations, and the
Issuer does not appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days after the Issuer
received such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, or (y) the Issuer
in its sole discretion determines that this Note shall be exchanged for
certificated Notes in definitive form, provided that the definitive Notes so
issued in exchange for this Note shall be in authorized denominations and be of
like aggregate principal amount and tenure and terms as the portion of this
Note to be exchanged.

         If "yes" is specified under "U.S. Dollar Payments Option" on the face
hereof, the registered holder of this Note shall be entitled to receive
payments in U.S. Dollars at the Exchange Rate determined as set forth in the
Indenture by notifying the Trustee at the time and in the manner described
therein.  Costs, if any, associated with the conversion of the Specified
Currency into U.S.  Dollars shall be borne by such holder through deduction
from payments required to be made to such holder on this Note.

         The Issuer will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in
connection with making payments on this Note by wire transfer, but any tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon payments will be borne by the
holder hereof.

         The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may
deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note
(whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or
on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and subject to the
provisions on the face hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and
neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture or in any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer
or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or
through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any
legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration
for the issue hereof.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>   10

         Undefined terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.


                           OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Issuer
to repay the within Note (or the portion hereof specified below) pursuant to
its terms at a price equal to 100% of the portion of the principal amount of
the Note to be repaid together with interest accrued thereon to the Repayment
Date, to the undersigned at


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
        (Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

         If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be
repaid, specify the portion thereof which the holder elects to have repaid
_________________________; and specify the denomination or denominations (which
shall be authorized denominations) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for
the portion of the within Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such
specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid):

________________________________________________________________________________

Date:______________________                     ________________________________
                                                       (Signature)


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   11

                                 ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:


         TEN COM             --    as tenants in common

         TEN ENT             --    as tenants by the entireties

         JT TEN              --    as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                                   and not as tenants in common

         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT   --    _________________ Custodian _________________
                                        (Cust)                      (Minor)

                                   under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act ___________
                                                                       (State)


    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


  ___________________________________________________________________________


  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto


PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________
             PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE
________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note of AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and hereby does irrevocably
constitute and appoint

_______________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer the said Note on the books of the within-named Issuer, with full 
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________________


                                       _________________________________________
                                       NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment
                                       must correspond with the name as written
                                       upon the face of the certificate in every
                                       particular, without alteration or
                                       enlargement or any change whatever.




                                      -11-

<PAGE>   1

                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES D
                DUE FROM 9 MONTHS TO 20 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
                         (FIXED RATE CURRENCY INDEXED)

Registered                                                          Face Amount

No. FXCI-                                                           CUSIP
Global Note:         Yes         No
              -----       -----
Depositary:

         [Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to the Issuer
or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name
as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made
to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

         THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY AS REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERENCED.  UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART
FOR THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT
BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER
NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

         IF APPLICABLE, THE "TOTAL AMOUNT OF OID," "YIELD TO MATURITY" AND
"INITIAL ACCRUAL PERIOD OID" (COMPUTED UNDER THE APPROXIMATE METHOD) BELOW WILL
BE COMPLETED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSES OF APPLYING THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT ("OID") RULES.

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
Issue Price:                                                Initial Accrual Period OID:

Interest Rate:                                              Specified Currency:

Interest Payment Dates:                                         U.S. Dollars [  ]

Original Issue Date:                                            Other:                                             
                                                                       --------------------

Maturity Date:                                              U.S. Dollar Payments Option:

Repayment Date(s):                                          Indexed Currency:

Initial Redemption Date:                                    Face Amount:

Determination Agent:                                        Base Exchange Rate:

Repayment Option Period(s):                                 Base Interest Rate:

Total Amount of OID:                                        Reference Dealers:

Yield to Maturity:                                          Other Provisions:

Record Dates:
</TABLE>

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

         If applicable as described above, the Optional Redemption Price
initially shall be _______% of the principal amount of this Note to be redeemed
and shall decline at each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date by
_______% of the principal amount to be redeemed until the Optional Redemption
Price is 100% of such principal amount, together with interest thereon to the
date fixed for redemption.

         AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Issuer"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to




, or registered assigns, the principal sum of


(the "Face Amount") plus or minus an amount as determined in accordance with
the terms hereof on the Maturity Date specified above or upon earlier
redemption or repayment at the Corporate Trust office of the Trustee in the
Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or such other
locations as may be provided for pursuant to the Indenture referred to on the
reverse hereof, in such coin, currency or currency unit specified above as at
the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private
debts, and to pay interest semiannually on each Interest Payment Date in each
year and on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment,
commencing with the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original
Issue Date specified above upon the Face Amount at the Interest Rate or, if a
Base Interest Rate is specified above, at the Base Interest Rate multiplied by
an amount as determined in accordance with the terms hereof from the most
recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, or, if no
interest has been paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date,
until the principal hereof becomes due and payable; provided, however, that any
payment of principal or interest to be made on an Interest Payment Date, on the
Maturity Date, on a date fixed for redemption or on a Repayment Date which is
not a Business Day shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day (as
hereinafter defined) with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest
Payment  Date, on the date fixed for redemption or on the Repayment Date, as
the case may be, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such
delayed payment.  For purposes of this Note, "Business Day" means any day,
other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on
which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to
close in New York, New York, or if this Note is denominated in a Specified
Currency other than U.S. Dollars,
        
                     -----------------------------------------------------------
                     Principal Financial Center of Country of Specified Currency

or, if this Note is denominated in European Currency Units, Brussels, Belgium.
The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any
Interest Payment Date will be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or
one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the
Record Date (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding such Interest
Payment Date and interest payable on the Maturity Date or upon earlier
redemption or repayment will be payable to the person to whom principal is
payable, except that, if this Note is issued between a Record Date and the
initial Interest Payment Date relating to such Record Date, interest for the
period beginning on the Original Issue Date and ending on such initial Interest
Payment Date shall be paid to the person to whom this Note shall have been
originally issued.  The principal amount payable at the Maturity Date or upon
earlier redemption or repayment will be determined by the rate of exchange
between the Specified Currency and the Indexed Currency.  The holder of this
Note will be entitled to receive principal in an amount exceeding the amount
designated as the Face Amount, if, at the Maturity Date or upon earlier
redemption or repayment, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be
exchanged for the Indexed Currency is greater than the rate of such exchange





                                       2
<PAGE>   3

designated above as the Base Exchange Rate expressed in units of the Indexed
Currency per one unit of the Specified Currency, and will be entitled to
receive principal in an amount less than the Face Amount if, at the Maturity
Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment, the rate at which the Specified
Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency is less than the Base
Exchange Rate.  If a Base Interest Rate is specified above, the interest
payable on each Interest Payment Date will be determined by the Base Interest
Rate and the rate of exchange between the Specified Currency and the Indexed
Currency.  The holder of this Note will be entitled to receive an interest
payment exceeding the amount based on the Face Amount and the Interest Rate if,
on an Interest Payment Date, the rate at which the Specified Currency can be
exchanged for the Indexed Currency is greater than the rate of such exchange
designated above as the Base Exchange Rate, expressed in units of the Indexed
Currency per one unit of the Specified Currency, and will be entitled to
receive an interest payment below the amount based on the Face Amount and the
Interest Rate if, on an Interest Payment Date, the rate at which the Specified
Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency is less than the Base
Exchange Rate.  Payment of principal and interest on this Note will be made, if
at maturity or upon earlier redemption, than on the Maturity Date or the date
fixed for redemption, as applicable, upon surrender of this Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in The City of New York, and if upon
repayment prior to maturity, than on the applicable Repayment Date, provided
that the holder shall have complied with the requirements for repayment set
forth on the reverse hereof.  All such payments shall be made in immediately
available funds, provided that this Note is presented to the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee in The City of New York in time for the Trustee to make
such payments in such funds in accordance with its normal procedures.  Any such
payments made in a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars shall be made by
wire transfer to an account maintained by the holder, as designated by the
holder by written notice to the Trustee at least 15 calendar days prior to the
date fixed for payment, with a bank located in the country of the Specified
Currency.  Payment of interest on this Note (other than interest paid on the
Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment) will be made by check
(from an account at a bank outside of the United States if such check is
payable in a Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars) mailed to the address
of the person entitled thereto appearing on the register for the Notes on the
applicable Record Date.  At the option of the Issuer or a holder of Notes (as
defined on the reverse hereof) in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5
million or the equivalent in a Specified Currency, payment of interest on this
Note (other than interest paid on the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption
or repayment) will be made by wire transfer to an account maintained by such
holder with a bank located in the United States for a payment in U.S. Dollars
or with a bank located in the country of the Specified Currency for other
payments, provided that any such holder selecting such option shall have
designated such account by written notice to the Trustee no later than the
Record Date preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.  Any interest not
punctually paid or duly provided for shall be payable as provided in the
Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof.

         Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months.

         REFERENCE IS HEREBY MADE TO THE FURTHER PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE SET
FORTH ON THE REVERSE HEREOF, WHICH FURTHER PROVISIONS SHALL HAVE THE SAME
EFFECT AS THOUGH FULLY SET FORTH AT THIS PLACE.

         This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed
by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture referred to on the reverse
hereof.

                  AGENCY FOR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND PAYMENT:
                  FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be signed
in its name by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers, and
has caused its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted hereon by
facsimile.

Dated:                                 AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
       ------------

                                       By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                                           Chairman of the Board


                                       Attest:
                                               ---------------------------------
(CORPORATE SEAL)                                    Vice President and Secretary


                                       3
<PAGE>   4

                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture

FIRST FIDELITY BANK,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee




By:
    --------------------

Authorized Officer


                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.

         This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer (hereinafter called the
"Securities") of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an indenture dated as of January 10, 1995 (the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer to First Fidelity Bank,
National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Trustee, the Issuer and the holders (the words "holders" or "holder"
meaning the registered holders or registered holder of the Securities).  The
Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series (and
which securities issued within each series) may be issued in various aggregate
principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at
different rates, may be subject to different redemption or repayment provisions
(if any), may be subject to different sinking fund or analogous provisions (if
any), may be subject to different Events of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided.  This Note is
one of a series designated as "Medium-Term Notes, Series D, Due from 9 Months
to 20 Years from Date of Issue" (the "Notes") of the Issuer, limited in
aggregate principal amount to U.S. $400,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in
the Specified Currency or Currencies.

         In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon
such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect
and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture) of all series to be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as in
the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Securities of each such series:  provided,
however, that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final
maturity of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the
rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount
payable on redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an
Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an
acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Indenture
or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2 of the
Indenture, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute
suit for the payment thereof or the right of repayment, if any, at the option
of the Securityholder without the consent of the holder of each Security so
affected, or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series,
the consent of the holders of which is required for any such supplemental
indenture, without the consent of the holder of each Security so affected.  Any
such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided
in the Indenture) shall be conclusive and binding upon such





                                       4
<PAGE>   5

holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which
may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or
not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Note at the place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin,
currency or currency unit herein prescribed unless in accordance with Section
10.1(c) or Section 10.2 of the Indenture the Issuer shall have irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds in cash
and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities (each as
defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay interest due or to become
due on the Notes to, and to pay the principal and any premium due on the Notes
upon, the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment.

         The Issuer shall be deemed to have paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes when the same shall have become due and payable
if in accordance with Section 10.1(c) or Section 10.2(A) the Issuer shall have
irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds
in cash and/or U.S. Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities
(each as defined in the Indenture) as will be sufficient to pay interest due or
to become due on the Notes to, and to pay the principal and any premium due on
the Notes upon, the Maturity Date or upon earlier redemption or repayment the
outstanding Notes.

         The Notes are issuable in fully registered form without coupons in the
minimum denominations of U.S. $100,000 or the equivalent thereof in the
Specified Currency, and in integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof
or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency.

         If an Initial Redemption Date is specified on the face hereof, this
Note may be redeemed at the option of the Issuer, as a whole or from time to
time in part, on any date on or after such Initial Redemption Date and prior to
maturity, upon mailing a notice of such redemption not less than 30 nor more
than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the holders of the Notes
to be redeemed at their last registered addresses, all as further provided in
the Indenture, at the Optional Redemption Prices, if any, specified on the face
hereof (expressed in percentages of the principal amount) together in each case
with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.

         If a Repayment Date is specified or Repayment Dates are specified on
the face hereof, this Note will be repayable at the option of the holder, in
whole or from time to time in part, on such Repayment Date or Repayment Dates
at 100% of the portion of the principal amount to be repaid, together with
interest accrued on such portion to the Repayment Date on which repayment is
sought.  In order for this Note to be repaid, the Issuer must receive at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, during the period from and including the first day of the Repayment
Option Period for the applicable Repayment Date to and including the close of
business on the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or if such day is not
a business day, the next succeeding business day):  (i) this Note with the form
below entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" duly completed, or (ii) a telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter from a member of a national securities
exchange, or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., or a
commercial bank or a trust company in the United States of America, dated no
later than the last day of such Repayment Option Period (or if such day is not
a business day, the next succeeding business day) setting forth the name of the
holder of the Note, the principal amount of the Note, the portion of the
principal amount of the Note to be repaid, a statement that the option to elect
repayment in being exercised thereby and a guarantee that the Note to be repaid
in whole or in part (with the form entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the
reverse of the Note duly completed) will be received at the Corporate Trust
Office of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, no
later the five business days after the date of such telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter and such Note and form duly completed must be
received at the Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York, by such fifth business day.  Effective exercise of any repayment
option by the holder of any Note shall be irrevocable.  No transfer or exchange
of any Note (or, in the event that any Note is to be repaid in part, such
portion of the Note to be repaid) will be permitted after exercise of a 
repayment option.  A repayment option may be exercised by the holder of a Note
for less than the entire principal amount of the Note, provided that the 
principal amount which is to be repaid is equal to $1,000 or any integral 
multiple thereof for Notes denominated in U.S Dollars or 10,000 units of the 
Specified Currency or any integral multiple thereof for Notes denominated in a
Specified Currency other than U.S. Dollars.  All question as to the validity, 
eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any Note for 
repayment will be determined by


                                       5
<PAGE>   6

the Issuer, whose determination will be final, binding and non-appealable.  For
purposes of this provision, "business day" means any day other than Saturday
and Sunday or a legal holiday or any day on which banking institutions in New
York, New York are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency as is
designated by the Issuer in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a
new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal
amount and like tenor will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,
subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for
any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith; provided,
however, that if this Note is a Global Note (as specified on the face hereof),
this Note is exchangeable only if (x) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that
it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for this Note or if at any
time the Depositary ceases to be in good standing under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statutes or regulations, and the
Issuer does not appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days after the Issuer
receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, or (y) the Issuer
in its sole discretion determines that this Note shall be exchanged for
certified Notes in definitive form, provided that the definitive Notes so
issued in exchange for this Note shall be in authorized denominations and be of
like aggregate principal amount and tenor and terms as the portion of this Note
to be exchanged.

         Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof, principal of this Note
will be payable by the Issuer in the Specified Currency  (except as set forth
herein) at the Maturity Date in an amount equal to the Face Amount plus or
minus an amount determined by the Determination Agent by reference to the
difference between the Base Exchange Rate and the rate at which the Specified
Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency as determined on the second
Exchange Rate Day (the "Determination Date") prior to the Maturity Date by the
Determination Agent based upon the arithmetic mean of the open market spot
offer quotations for the Indexed Currency obtained by the Determination Agent
from the Reference Dealers in The City of New York at 11:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the Determination Date, for an amount of the Indexed Currency equal to
the Face Amount multiplied by the Base Exchange rate, for settlement on the
Maturity Date (such rate of exchange, as so determined and expressed in units
of the Indexed Currency per one unit of Specified Currency, is hereafter
referred to as the "Spot Rate").  If such quotations from the Reference Dealers
are not available on the Determination Date due to circumstances beyond the
control of the Issuer or the Determination Agent, the Spot Rate will be
determined on the basis of the most recently available quotations from the
Reference Dealers.  If any of the Reference Dealers shall be unwilling or
unable to provide the requested quotations, such other major money center bank
or banks in The City of New York as shall be selected by the Issuer, in
consultation with the Determination Agent, shall act as Reference Dealer or
Reference Dealers in replacement therefor.  In the absence of manifest error,
the determination by the Determination Agent of the Spot Rate and the principal
amount of this Note payable at the Maturity Date shall be final and binding on
the Issuer and the holder of this Note.

         Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof, the formulae to be used
by the Determination Agent to determine the principal amount payable at the
Maturity Date will be as follows:  If the Spot Rate exceeds or equals the Base
Exchange Rate, the principal amount payable at the Maturity Date shall equal:

       Face Amount +  (Face Amount   x    Spot Rate - Base Exchange Rate)
                                          ------------------------------
                                                     Spot Rate.

If the Base Exchange Rate exceeds the Spot Rate, the principal amount payable
at the Maturity Date (which shall, in no event, be less than zero) shall equal:

      Face Amount  -  (Face Amount   x    Base Exchange Rate - Spot Rate)
                                          ------------------------------
                                                     Spot Rate.

If the formulae set forth above are applicable hereto, the maximum principal
amount payable at the Maturity Date in respect hereof would be an amount equal
to twice the Face Amount and the minimum principal amount payable would be
zero.  Unless otherwise specified above, the term "Exchange Rate Day" shall
mean any day which is a





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
Business Day in The City of New York and (i) if the Specified Currency or
Indexed Currency is any currency or currency unit other than the U.S. Dollar or
the ECU, a Business Day in the principal financial center of the country of such
Specified Currency or Indexed Currency or (ii) in the case of the ECU, a day
which is not a non-ECU clearing day as determined by the ECU Banking Association
in Paris.

         Unless otherwise specified on the face hereof, on the basis of the
aforesaid determination by the Determination Agent and the formulae and
limitations set forth above, (i) if the Base Exchange Rate equals the Spot Rate,
then the principal amount of this Note payable at the Maturity Date will be
equal to the Face Amount; (ii) if the Spot Rate exceeds the Base Exchange Rate,
then the principal amount so payable will be greater than the Face Amount hereof
up to an amount equal to twice the Face Amount hereof; (iii) if the Spot Rate is
less than the Base Exchange Rate but is greater than one-half of the Base
Exchange Rate, then the principal amount so payable will be less than the Face
Amount hereof; and (iv) if the Spot Rate is less than or equal to one-half of
the Base Exchange Rate, then the Spot Rate will be deemed to be one-half of the
Base Exchange Rate and no principal amount in respect of this Note will be
payable at the Maturity Date. In the event of any redemption or repayment, the
term "Maturity Date" used above also refers to the redemption date or Repayment
Date, if applicable.

         Unless a Base Interest Rate is specified on the face hereof, interest
will be payable on the Face Amount at the Interest Rate. In the event that a
Base Interest Rate is specified on the face hereof, interest shall be payable on
each Interest Payment Date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Interest Rate
multiplied by an Interest Index Factor. The "Interest Index Factor" shall be an
amount determined by the Determination Agent by reference to the following
formula:

                               Interest Spot Rate
                               ------------------
                               Base Exchange Rate

where "Interest Spot Rate" is (i) if at an Interest Payment Date, the rate at
which the Specified Currency can be exchanged for the Indexed Currency, as
determined on the second Exchange Rate Day prior to such Interest Payment Date
(the "Interest Determination Date") by the Determination Agent, on such Interest
Determination Date, (ii) if at the Maturity Date, the Spot Rate. The amount of
interest determined by the Determination Agent to be payable on any Interest
Payment Date and at the Maturity Date in respect of the Securities will be
payable to the holders thereof in the manner set forth herein. In the absence of
manifest error, the determination by the Determination Agent of the Interest
Index Factor, the Interest Spot Rate on each Interest Payment Date, the interest
payments payable and the Spot Rate at the Maturity Date on the Securities shall
be final and binding on the Issuer and the holders of such Securities.

         If "yes" is specified under "U.S. Dollar Payments Option" on the face
hereof, the registered holder of this Note shall be entitled to receive payments
in U.S. Dollars at the Exchange Rate determined as set forth in the Indenture by
notifying the Trustee at the time and in the manner described therein. Costs, if
any, associated with the conversion of the Specified Currency into U.S. Dollars
shall be borne by such holder through deduction from payments required to be
made to such holder of this Note.

         The Issuer will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in
connection with making payments on this Note by wire transfer, but any tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon payments will be borne by the
holder hereof.

         The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may
deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note
(whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing hereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on
account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and subject to the
provisions on the face hereof, interest hereon, and for all other purposes, and
neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee
shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture or in any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer
or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or
through the Issuer or any successor, under any 

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any
assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such
liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as
part of the consideration for the Issuer hereof.

         Undefined terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.

                            OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably requests and instructs the Issuer to
repay the within Note (or the portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its
terms at a price equal to 100% of the portion of the principal amount of the
Note to be repaid together with interest accrued thereon to the Repayment Date,
to the undersigned at
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

         If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be
repaid, specify the portion thereof which the holder elects to have repaid
__________ ; and specify the denomination or denominations (which shall be
authorized denominations) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the
portion of the within the Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such
specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid):
_________________________________________________________________

Date:___________________           ________________________________________
                                              (Signature)
                                   


                                       8
<PAGE>   9



                                  ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

         TEN COM --                 as tenants in common

         TEN ENT --                 as tenants by the entireties

         JT TEN --                  as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                                    and not as tenants in common

         UNIF GIFT MIN ACT --       ________________Custodian________________
                                         (Cust)                   (Minor)

                                    under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act________

    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
    _________________________________________________________________________
         
         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and
         transfers unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

_______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE

_______________________________________________________________________________
the within Note of AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC. and hereby does irrevocably
constitute and appoint

______________________________________________________________________ Attorney
to transfer the said Note on the books of the within-named Issuer, with full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated___________
                                                     __________________________
                                                     NOTICE: The signature to
                                                     this assignment must
                                                     correspond with the name
                                                     as written upon the face
                                                     of the certificate in
                                                     every particular, without
                                                     alteration or enlargement
                                                     or any change whatever.

                                       9

<PAGE>   1

                             [FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

                        AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
                           MEDIUM-TERM NOTE, SERIES D

                DUE FROM 9 MONTHS TO 20 YEARS FROM DATE OF ISSUE
                                (S&P 500 LINKED)

Registered                                                   Face Amount $

Original Issue Date:                                         Interest Rate:  %

No. S&PL-                                                    CUSIP

Global Note:  _____  Yes  _____  No
                                
         [Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (the "DTC"), to the
Issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or such other name as
is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to
Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof,
Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

         THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY AS REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERENCED. UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR
THE INDIVIDUAL SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY
OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE
DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR
A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.]

         AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (herein called
the "Issuer"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

, or registered assigns, the Maturity Amount (as defined below) on
________________ (the "Maturity Date"), at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, State of New York, or
such other location or locations as may be provided for pursuant to the
Indenture (as defined below), in such coin, currency or currency unit of the
________________ as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment
of public and private debts. No periodic payments of interest will be payable in
respect of this Note.

Maturity Amount

         The amount payable on the Maturity Date in respect of this Note (the
"Maturity Amount") will be equal to the greater of (i) the Minimum Maturity
Amount and (ii) the Index Maturity Amount.

         The "Minimum Maturity Amount" with respect to this Note means _____% of
the principal amount hereof (the "Principal Amount"). The "Index Maturity
Amount" with respect to this Note means an amount equal to the sum of (i) the
Principal Amount and (ii) the product of (x) the Principal Amount, (y) the Index
Appreciation Ratio and (z) the Participation Rate. Where:

                                       1
<PAGE>   2

         "Index Appreciation Ratio" means:

               Final Average Index Value - Initial Index Value
               -----------------------------------------------
                             Initial Index Value

         "Participation Rate" means _____%.

         The "Initial Index Value" equals __________, the closing value of the 
S&P 500 Index on_______________.

         The "Final Average Index Value" of the S&P 500 Index will be determined
by ________________ (the "Calculation Agent") and will equal the arithmetic
average (mean) of the Annual Values (as defined below) for _____, _____ and
_____. The "Annual Value" for any year will be calculated during the
"Calculation Period" for such year, which will be from and including __________
in _____, __________ in _____ and __________ in _____ to and including the fifth
scheduled Business Day (as hereinafter defined) after such date. The Annual
Value for each year will equal the arithmetic average (mean) of the closing
values of the S&P 500 Index on the first day in the applicable Calculation
Period (provided that a Market Disruption Event (as defined below) shall not
have occurred on such day) and on each succeeding Business Day (provided that a
Market Disruption Event shall not have occurred on the applicable day) up to and
including the last Business Day in the applicable Calculation Period (each, a
"Calculation Date") until the Calculation Agent has so determined such closing
values for five Business Days. If a Market Disruption Event occurs on two or
more of the Business Days during a Calculation Period, the Annual Value for the
relevant year will equal the average of the values on Business Days on which a
Market Disruption Event did not occur during such Calculation Period or, if
there is only one such Business Day, the value on such day. If Market Disruption
Events occur on all of such Business Days during a Calculation Period, the
Annual Value for the relevant year shall equal the closing value of the S&P 500
Index on the last Business Day of the Calculation Period regardless of whether a
Market Disruption Event shall have occurred on such day.

         For purposes of determining the Final Average Index Value, a "Business
Day" is a day on which The New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.

         "Market Disruption Event" means either of the following events, as
determined by the Calculation Agent:

                  (i) the suspension or material limitation (limitations
         pursuant to New York Stock Exchange Rule 80A (or any applicable rule or
         regulation enacted or promulgated by the New York Stock Exchange, any
         other self-regulatory organization or the Securities and Exchange
         Commission of similar scope as determined by the Calculation Agent) on
         trading during significant market fluctuations shall be considered
         "material" for purposes of this definition), in each case, for more
         than two hours of trading in 100 or more of the securities included in
         the S&P 500 Index, or

                 (ii) the suspension or material limitation, in each case, for
         more than two hours of trading (whether by reason of movements in price
         otherwise exceeding levels permitted by the relevant exchange or
         otherwise) in (A) futures contracts related to the S&P 500 Index which
         are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or (B) option contracts
         related to the S&P 500 Index which are traded on the Chicago Board
         Options Exchange, Inc.

         For purposes of this definition, a limitation on the hours in a trading
day and/or number of days of trading will not constitute a Market Disruption
Event if it results from an announced change in the regular business hours of
the relevant exchange.

         All determinations made by the Calculation Agent shall be at the sole
discretion of the Calculation Agent and, absent a determination by the
Calculation Agent of a manifest error, shall be conclusive for all purposes and
binding on the Issuer and beneficial owner of this Note.

                                       2
<PAGE>   3


Discontinuance of the S&P 500 Index and Successor Index

         If Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") discontinues publication of
the S&P 500 Index and S&P or another entity publishes a successor or substitute
index that the Calculation Agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be
comparable to the S&P 500 Index (any such index being referred to hereinafter as
a "Successor Index"), then, upon the Calculation Agent's notification of such
determination to the Trustee and the Issuer, the Calculation Agent will
substitute the Successor Index as calculated by S&P or such other entity for the
S&P 500 Index.

         If S&P discontinues publication of the S&P 500 Index and a Successor
Index is not selected by the Calculation Agent or is no longer published on any
of the Calculation Dates, the value to be substituted for the S&P 500 Index for
any such Calculation Date will be calculated as described below.

         If a Successor Index is selected or the Calculation Agent calculates a
value as a substitute for the S&P 500 Index as described below, such Successor
Index or value shall be substituted for the S&P 500 Index for all purposes,
including for purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event exists.

         If at any time the method of calculating the S&P 500 Index, or the
value thereof, is changed in a material respect, or if the S&P 500 Index is in
any other way modified such that in the opinion of the Calculation Agent, the
S&P 500 Index does not fairly represent the value of the S&P 500 Index had such
change or modification not been made, then, from and after such time, the
Calculation Agent shall on each Calculation Date make such adjustments as, in
the good faith judgment of the Calculation Agent, may be necessary in order to
arrive at a calculation of a stock index comparable to the S&P 500 Index as if
such change or modification had not been made. For example, if the method of
calculating the S&P 500 Index is modified so that the value of such S&P 500
Index is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been
modified (e.g., due to a split in the S&P 500 Index), then the Calculation Agent
shall adjust the S&P 500 Index in order to arrive at a value of the S&P 500
Index as if it had not been modified (e.g., as if such split had not occurred).

         If S&P discontinues publication of the S&P 500 Index and a Successor
Index is available, then the Maturity Amount will be determined by reference to
the Successor Index, as provided above.

         If the publication of the S&P 500 Index is discontinued and S&P or
another entity does not publish a Successor Index on any of the Calculation
Dates, the index to be substituted for the S&P 500 Index for any such
Calculation Date will be computed by the Calculation Agent for each such
Calculation Date in accordance with the following procedures:

                 (1) identifying the component stocks of the S&P 500 Index or
         any Successor Index as of the last date on which either of such indices
         was calculated by S&P or another entity and published by S&P or such
         other entity (each such component stock is an "Index Component Stock");

                 (2) for each Index Component Stock, calculating as of each such
         Calculation Date the product of the market price per share and the
         number of the then-outstanding shares (such product referred to as the
         "Market Value" of such Index Component Stock), by reference to (a) the
         closing market price per share of such Index Component Stock as quoted
         by the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or any
         other registered national securities exchange that is the primary
         market for such Index Component Stock, or if no such quotation is
         available, then the closing market price as quoted by any other
         registered national securities exchange or the National Association of
         Securities Dealers Automated Quotation National Market System
         ("NASDAQ"), or if no such price is quoted, then the market price from
         the best available source as determined by the Calculation Agent
         (collectively, the "Exchanges") and (b) the most recent publicly
         available statement of the number of outstanding shares of such Index
         Component Stock;

                 (3)      aggregating the Market Values obtained in clause (2) 
for all Index Component Stocks;


                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                 (4)      ascertaining the Base Value (as defined below) in
         effect as of the last day on which either the S&P 500 Index or any
         Successor Index was published by S&P or another entity (adjusted as
         described below);

                 (5)      dividing the aggregate Market Value of all Index
         Component Stocks by the Base Value (adjusted as described below);

                 (6)      multiplying the resulting quotient (expressed in
         decimals) by ten.

         "Base Value" shall mean the aggregate of the mean average Market Value
of the common stock of each company in a group of 500 companies substantially
similar to the current S&P 500 group over the base period of the years 1941
through 1943.

         If any Index Component Stock is no longer publicly traded on any
registered national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market, the
last available market price per share for such Index Component Stock as quoted
by any registered national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter
market, and the number of outstanding shares thereof at such time, will be used
in computing the last available Market Value of such Index Component Stock.
Such Market Value will be used in all computations of the S&P 500 Index
thereafter.

         If a company that has issued an Index Component Stock and another
company that has issued an Index Component Stock are consolidated to form a new
company, the common stock of such new company will be considered an Index
Component Stock and the common stocks of the constituent companies will no
longer be considered Index Component Stocks.  If any company that has issued an
Index Component Stock merges with, or acquires, a company that has not issued
an Index Component Stock, the common stock of the surviving corporation will,
upon the effectiveness of such merger or acquisition, be considered an Index
Component Stock.  In each such case, the Base Value will be adjusted so that
the Base Value immediately after such consolidation, merger or acquisition will
equal (a) the Base Value immediately prior to such event, multiplied by (b) the
quotient of the aggregate Market Value of all Index Component Stocks
immediately after such event, divided by the aggregate Market Value for all
Index Component Stocks immediately prior to such event.

         If a company that has issued an Index Component Stock issues a stock
dividend, declares a stock split or issues new shares pursuant to the
acquisition of another company, then, in each case, the Base Value will be
adjusted so that the Base Value immediately after the time the particular Index
Component Stock commences trading ex-dividend, the effectiveness of the stock
split or the time new shares of such Index Component Stock commence trading
equals (a) the Base Value immediately prior to such event, multiplied by (b)
the quotient of the aggregate Market Value for all Index Component Stocks
immediately after such event, divided by the aggregate Market Value of all
Index Component Stocks immediately prior to such event.  The Base Value used by
the Calculation Agent to calculate the value described above will not
necessarily be adjusted in all cases in which S&P, in its discretion, might
adjust the Base Value.

                                                                              
                                                                              





                                       4
<PAGE>   5
         This Note shall not be valid or become obligatory for any purpose
until the certificate of authentication hereon shall have been manually signed
by or on behalf of the Trustee under the Indenture referred to below.


                  AGENCY FOR TRANSFER, EXCHANGE AND PAYMENT:
                  FIRST FIDELITY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be signed
in its name by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers, and
has caused its corporate seal to be affixed hereunto or imprinted hereon by
facsimile.


Dated:                                       AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
       --------------

                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                     Chairman of the Board



                                             Attest:


(Corporate Seal)                             -----------------------------------
                                                Vice President and Secretary


                    TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

          This is one of the Debt Securities of the Series designated therein
referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                             FIRST FIDELITY BANK,
                                             NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                       Authorized Officer





                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]


        This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of unsecured debentures,
notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the Issuer (hereinafter called the
"Securities") of the series hereinafter specified, all issued or to be issued
under and pursuant to an indenture dated as of January 10, 1995 (the
"Indenture"), duly executed and delivered by the Issuer to First Fidelity Bank,
National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"), to which Indenture and all 
indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of
the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder
of the Trustee, the Issuer and the holders (the words "holders" or "holder"
meaning the registered holders or registered holder of the Securities).  The
Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series (and
which securities issued within each series) may be issued in various aggregate 
principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest (if any) at
different rates, may be subject to different redemption or repayment provisions
(if any), may be subject to different sinking fund or analogous provisions (if
any), may be subject to different Events of Default (as defined in the
Indenture) and may otherwise vary as  in the Indenture provided.  This Note is
one of a series designated as  "Medium-Term Notes, Series D, Due from 9 Months
to 20 Years from Date of Issue" (the "Notes") of the Issuer, limited in
aggregate principal amount to  U.S. $400,000,000, or the equivalent thereof in
the Specified Currency or  Currencies.
        
         This Note is not subject to redemption by the Issuer or at the option
of the holders prior to maturity.

        In case an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal hereof may be declared, and upon such
declaration shall become, due and payable, in the manner, with the effect and
subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.  The amount payable in
respect hereof upon any acceleration permitted by the Indenture, with respect
to each $1,000 principal amount thereof, will be equal to the greater of (i)
the Principal Amount plus an amount equal to the interest which would have
accrued hereon from and including the date of original issuance to but
excluding the date of early redemption at an annualized rate of _____%,
calculated on a semiannual bond equivalent basis and (ii) the Index Maturity
Amount calculated as described above under "Maturity Amount" with the following
modifications.  The Calculation Period used to calculate the final Annual Value
of this Note so accelerated will begin on the eighth scheduled Business Day
next preceding the scheduled date for such early redemption.  If such final
Annual Value is the only Annual Value which shall have been calculated with
respect to this Note, such final Annual Value will be the Final Average Index
Value.  If one or two other Annual Values shall have been calculated with
respect to this Note for prior years when this Note shall have been
outstanding, the average of the final Annual Value and such one other Annual
Value or such two other Annual Values, as the case may be, will be the Final
Average Index Value.  If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of the
Issuer, the claim with respect to this Note may be limited, under Section
502(b)(2) of Title 11 of the United States Code, to the Principal Amount plus
an additional amount of contingent interest calculated as though the date of
the commencement of the proceeding were the Maturity Date.
        
         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Issuer and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities at the time outstanding (as defined in the
Indenture) of all series to be affected (voting as one class), evidenced as in
the Indenture provided, to execute supplemental indentures adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modifying in any manner the
rights of the holders of the Securities of each such series; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall (i) extend the final maturity of any
Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any amount payable on
redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the
maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Indenture or the amount thereof
provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Indenture, or impair or
affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment
thereof or the right of repayment, if any, at the option of the Securityholder
without the consent of the holder of each Security so affected, or (ii) reduce
the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the
holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the
consent of the holder of each Security so affected.  Any such consent or waiver
by the holder of this Note (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall
be conclusive and binding upon such





                                       6
<PAGE>   7
holder and upon all future holders and owners of this Note and any Notes which
may be issued in exchange or substitution herefor, irrespective of whether or
not any notation thereof is made upon this Note or such other Notes.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the Maturity Amount on this Note at the
place, at the respective times, at the rate and in the coin, currency or
currency unit herein prescribed unless in accordance with Section 10.1(c) or
Section 10.2 of the Indenture, the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or
caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds in cash and/or U.S.
Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities (as defined in the
Indenture) as will be sufficient to retire this Note at maturity or upon
earlier redemption or repayment.

         The Issuer shall be deemed to have paid the Maturity Amount on this
Note when the same shall have become due and payable if in accordance with
Section 10.1(c) or Section 10.2(A) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited
or caused to be deposited in trust with the Trustee funds in cash and/or U.S.
Government Obligations and/or Foreign Government Securities (as defined in the
Indenture) as will be sufficient to retire at maturity or upon earlier
redemption or repayment of the outstanding Notes.

         The Notes are issuable in fully registered form without coupons in the
minimum denomination of U.S. $100,000 or the equivalent thereof in the
Specified Currency, and in integral multiples of U.S. $1,000 in excess thereof
or 10,000 units of the Specified Currency.

         Upon due presentment for registration of transfer of this Note at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or at such other office or agency as is
designated by the Issuer in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a
new Note or Notes of authorized denominations for an equal aggregate principal
amount and like tenor will be issued to the transferee in exchange therefor,
subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without charge except for
any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith; provided,
however, that if this Note is a Global Note, this Note is exchangeable only if
(x) the Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to
continue as Depositary for this Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to
be in good standing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or
other applicable statutes or regulations, and the Issuer does not appoint a
successor Depositary within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or
becomes aware of such ineligibility, or (y) the Issuer in its sole discretion
determines that this Note shall be exchanged for certificated Notes in
definitive form, provided that the definitive Notes so issued in exchange for
this Note shall be in authorized denominations and be of like aggregate
principal amount and tenor and terms as the portion of this Note to be
exchanged.

         The Issuer will pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in
connection with making payments on this Note by wire transfer, but any tax,
assessment or governmental charge imposed upon payments will be borne by the
holder hereof.

         The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may
deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the absolute owner of this Note
(whether or not this Note shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of
ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or
on account of the Maturity Amount, and for all other purposes, and neither the
Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be
affected by any notice to the contrary.

         No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement
contained in the Indenture or in any Note, or because of any indebtedness
evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer
or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or
through the Issuer of any successor, under any rule of law, statute or
constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any
legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly
waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as part of the consideration
for the Issuer hereof.

         Undefined terms used herein which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Indenture.


                                       7
<PAGE>   8

                            _____________________
                                 ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this Note, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

  TEN COM -      as tenants in common

  TEN ENT -      as tenants by the entireties

  JT TEN  -      as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                 and not as tenants in common

  UNIF GIFT
  MIN ACT -      ________________ Custodian __________________
                 (Cust)                              (Minor)
                 under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act _______________
                                                     (State)

         Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

         ______________________________________________________________________


  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto


PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE ____________________
                         
________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

             PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE

___________________________________ the within Note of AIR PRODUCTS AND
CHEMICALS, INC. and hereby does irrevocably constitute and appoint

________________________________________________ Attorney to transfer the said
Note on the books of the within-named Issuer, with full power of substitution
in the premises.


Dated _______________________

                         
                                       ________________________________________

                                       NOTICE:  The signature to this assignment
                                       must correspond with the name as written
                                       upon the face of the certificate in every
                                       particular, without alteration or
                                       enlargement or any change whatever.





                                       8


<PAGE>   1
                                                                 Exhibit 23(b)




                                              April 17, 1995
       






Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549-1004

     RE:  Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.--Amendment No. 1 to Registration 
          Statement No. 33-57357 for $400,000,000 Principal Amount of 
          Medium-Term Notes, Series D

Ladies and Gentlemen:

    We refer to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement No. 33-57357 
of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (the "Company"), filed pursuant to the 
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Registration Statement"), in connection with 
the proposed issuance and sale of the Company of up to $400,000,000 aggregate 
principal amount of its Debt Securities and the prospectus included in the 
Registration Statement which refers to us under the caption "Legal Opinions."

     The undersigned hereby consent to the reference to us in such prospectus
under the caption "Legal Opinions."

                                          Very truly yours,
                                          
                                          /s/ James H. Agger

                                          James H. Agger
                                          Vice President, General Counsel
                                          and Secretary

                                           /s/ Robert F. Gerkens

                                           Robert F. Gerkens
                                           Assistant General Counsel


                                           /s/ Cornelius P. Powell
                                       
                                           Cornelius P. Powell
                                           Vice President--Taxes  


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