Изопропилэтилфосфонофторидат

Description

Isopropylethylphosphonofluoride is an organophosphorus compound, isopropyl ester of ethylphosphonofluoride acid. Known by the military code GE and the name "ethylzarine"; in the literature the designations EA-1209, TL-1620, T-2109 are found. This is a nerve agent of series G, an ethyl homologue of sarin (sarin is isopropyl methylphosphonofluoride, CAS 107-44-8; this position, CAS 1189-87-3, is distinguished by the replacement of the methyl group at phosphorus with ethyl).

Legal status

The substance is included in Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention - alkylphosphonofluoridate category (item 1A.01). The production, acquisition, storage, transfer and use of such compounds is prohibited; limited quantities are permitted only for research, medical, pharmaceutical and defense purposes upon notification and supervision of the OPCW. The product does not have free commercial circulation; there are no civilian areas of application.

Basic Attributes

• CAS No.: 1189-87-3
• Chemical formula: C5H12FO2P
• Molecular Weight: 154.121
• Exact weight: 154.12
• Systematic names: phosphonofluoride acid, P-ethyl-, 1-methylethyl ether; phosphonofluoride acid, ethyl, isopropyl ether
• Other synonyms: isopropyl ethyl fluorophosphinate, GE, ethyl sarin

Physico-chemical characteristics

• PSA (Polar Surface Area): 26.3
• XLogP3: 1.1
• Density: 1.1012 g/cm³ at 20 °C
• Boiling point: 74 °C at 16 Torr pressure

Mechanism of toxic action

Compounds of this series irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase: the phosphorus atom phosphorylates the serine residue in the active center of the enzyme. Acetylcholine ceases to be hydrolyzed and accumulates in synapses, which causes excessive stimulation of muscles, glands and the central nervous system. Clinically, this condition is described as a cholinergic crisis.

Practical meaning of the position

Data on the substance are in demand in analytical and law enforcement practice: identification of degradation products during OPCW verification activities, development of detection methods, work on protective equipment and medical countermeasures. Such research is carried out exclusively in laboratories designated and accredited under the Convention.

Data Note

In open sources for CAS 1189-87-3, a description of the sarin itself is often provided. It should be distinguished: sarin is a methyl analogue with the number 107-44-8, this position refers to the ethyl homolog of GE.