Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite (NATO designation QL), also known as O-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O′-ethyl methylphosphonite, is a precursor chemical to the nerve agent VX and VR-56. It is a colorless liquid with a strong fishy odor, and is slightly soluble in water.[1]
Synthesis
QL is manufactured by the transesterification of diethyl methylphosphonite with 2-(diisopropylamino)ethanol.[2]
Uses in chemical warfare
QL is a component in binary chemical weapons, mainly VX nerve agent.[3] It, along with methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), was developed during the 1980s in order to replace an aging stockpile of unitary chemical weapons.[3] QL is listed as a Schedule 1 chemical by the Chemical Weapons Convention.[4]
Toxicity
QL itself is a relatively non-toxic chemical.[5] However, when reacting with sulfur, the corresponding sulfide of QL isomerizes into the highly toxic VX molecule.[3][5]
References
- ^ "Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite". PubChem.
- ^ "Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite". PubChem.
- ^ a b c National Research Council, et al. Systems and Technologies for the Treatment of Non-stockpile Chemical Warfare Materiel, (Google Books), National Academies Press, 2002, p. 14, (ISBN 0309084520), accessed October 21, 2008.
- ^ "Schedule One Chemicals", Chemical Weapons Convention Archived 2012-01-03 at the Wayback Machine, US Government website, Retrieved November 15, 2008.
- ^ a b Croddy, Eric and Wirtz, James J. Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, (Google Books), ABC-CLIO, 2005, p. 238, (ISBN 1851094903), accessed October 21, 2008.