ChemicalBook CAS DataBase List 1794-86-1

1794-86-1

Name	dichloroformoxine
CAS	1794-86-1
Molecular Formula	CHCl2NO
MDL Number	MFCD09970438
Molecular Weight	113.93
MOL File	1794-86-1.mol

Chemical Properties

Description	Phosgene oxime is a colourless solid or yellowish-brown liquid with a disagreeable penetrating odour. Pure phosgene oxime is a colourless, crystalline solid; the munitions grade compound is a yellowish-brown liquid. Phosgene oxime is soluble in water and organic solvents, but hydrolyses rapidly, and especially in the presence of alkali. Chemically similar to but more reactive than an amide. Incompatible with strong acids and bases, and especially incompatible with strong reducing agents such as hydrides. It is also incompatible with strongly oxidising acids, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. Phosgene oxime is a very severe blistering agent. Both the liquid and the solid can give off vapours at ambient temperatures. Phosgene oxime was developed as a potential chemical warfare agent but has never been known to be used on the battlefield. Phosgene oxime (CX) is an urticant or nettle agent causing instant intolerable pain, erythema, wheals, and urticaria. It is very corrosive, capable of causing extensive tissue damage. Phosgene oxime was first produced by the Germans in 1929 as a possible warfare agent. The mechanism of action is not fully understood but the lesions produced in the skin are similar to those caused by a strong acid. Phosgene oxime will penetrate ordinary clothing and surgical gear. less more
Appearance	Phosgene oxime (military designation CX) is a non-combustible urticant (nettle agent, blister agent) with a short (seconds to minutes) latency period. CX is a colorless, low-melting point (crystalline, white powder) solid or as a liquid (liquid above 39C; solid below 35C). On hot days (or at body temperature) it can appear as a yellowishbrown liquid. It has a high vapor pressure (the vapor pressure of the solid is high enough to produce symptoms), slowly decomposes at normal temperatures. It has an intense, disagreeable,penetrating, and violently irritating, peppery odor. Odor detectable at less than 0.3 ppm.
Melting point	39-40 °C
Boiling point	129 °C
density	1.66±0.1 g/cm3(Predicted)
pka	7.70±0.11(Predicted)
EPA Substance Registry System	Carbonimidic dichloride, hydroxy- (1794-86-1)

Safety Data

Hazardous Substances Data

1794-86-1(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

It is absorbed through the skin, and contact with the material causes extreme pain immediately, much like lewisite, and tissue effects occur quickly. Irritation begins to occur in about 12 s at a dose of 0.2 mg-min/m3. When the agent has been in contact with the skin for 1 min or more, the irritation becomes unbearable at a dose of 3 mg-min/m3. It is also irritating to the respiratory system and causes the same types of eye damage as lewisite. Phosgene oxime remains persistent in the soil for about 2 h and is considered nonpersistent on other surfaces. The agent is known to be corrosive to most metals. There is no known antidote for phosgene oxime, and exposures should be treated symptomatically after decontamination, which should occur immediately.

Hazard Information

General Description

Colorless liquid, odorless to fruity.

Reactivity Profile

dichloroformoxine is an oxime. Chemically similar to, but more reactive than an amide. Incompatible with strong acids and bases, and especially incompatible with strong reducing agents such as hydrides. Also incompatible with strongly oxidizing acids, peroxides, and hydroperoxides.

Health Hazard

Median lethal dose (mg-min/m3): 3200 (inhaled). Median incapacitating dose: Very low. Eye/skin toxicity: Powerful irritant to eyes and nose; liquid corrosive to skin. Rate of action: Immediate effects on contact. Physiological action: Violently irritates mucous membranes, eyes and nose; forms wheals rapidly. (ANSER)

Potential Exposure

There’s no industrial use for Phosgene oxime (CX) and because of its extreme instability, the pure material is not likely to be used in military operations. CX is especially dangerous when mixed with other chemicals such as nerve agents. It burns away the skin making it more permeable to any other “added” agents. No other chemical agent is capable of producing immediate extreme pain followed by rapid local tissue death (necrosis). Post World War II studies indicate that concentrations below 8% cause no or inconsistent effects.

First aid

Move victim to fresh air. Call 911 or emergency medical service. Give artificial respiration if victim is not breathing. Do not use mouth-to-mouth method if victim ingested or inhaled the substance; give artificial respiration with the aid of a pocket mask equipped with a one-way valve or other proper respiratory medical device. Administer oxygen if breathing is difficult. Remove and isolate contaminated clothing and shoes. In case of contact with substance, immediately flush skin or eyes with running water for at least 20 minutes. For minor skin contact, avoid spreading material on unaffected skin. Keep victim warm and quiet. Effects of exposure (inhalation, ingestion or skin contact) to substance may be delayed. Ensure that medical personnel are aware of the material(s) involved and take precautions to protect themselves. Medical observation is recommended for 2448 hours after breathing overexposure, as pulmonary edema may be delayed. As first aid for pulmonary edema, a doctor or authorized paramedic may consider administering a drug or other inhalation therapy.

Shipping

UN2811 (solid)/UN2810 (liquid) Toxic solids or liquids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required. Military driver shall be given full and complete information regarding shipment and conditions in case of emergency. AR 50-6 deals specifically with the shipment of chemical agents. Shipments of agent will be escorted in accordance with AR 740-32.

Incompatibilities

Phosgene oxime (CX) is among the most important halogenated oximes. CX reacts with water, sweat, and heat, forming hydrochloric acid. CX may be an oxidizer, and it may ignite combustibles, e.g., wood, paper, oil, or clothing). CX is incompatible with strong acids and bases; hydrides and other strong reducing agents such as hydrides; strong oxidizing acids, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. Not hydrolyzed by dilute acids; reacts violently in basic solutions forming carbon dioxide, hydrogen chloride, and hydroxylamine. Hydrolysis products include HCl and methylarsenic oxide. CX quickly penetrates rubber and clothing. Traces of many metals cause it to decompose; however, it corrodes most metals. Oximes are chemically similar to, but more reactive than amides. Incompatible with strong acids and bases, and especially incompatible with strong reducing agents such as hydrideds and active metals. Also incompatible with strongly oxidizing acids, peroxides, and hydroperoxides. CX decomposes when in contact with many metals; it is corrosive to most metals, and contact with metals may evolve flammable hydrogen gas.

Chemical Properties

Phosgene oxime (military designation CX) is a non-combustible urticant (nettle agent, blister agent) with a short (seconds to minutes) latency period. CX is a colorless, low-melting point (crystalline, white powder) solid or as a liquid (liquid above 39C; solid below 35C). On hot days (or at body temperature) it can appear as a yellowishbrown liquid. It has a high vapor pressure (the vapor pressure of the solid is high enough to produce symptoms), slowly decomposes at normal temperatures. It has an intense, disagreeable,penetrating, and violently irritating, peppery odor. Odor detectable at less than 0.3 ppm.

Waste Disposal

Seek expert advice from armed services (see Reference section), Center for Disease Control headquarters in Atlanta, Ga.

Uses

There are no commercial or beneficial uses of phosgene oxime. It was developed and produced solely as a chemical warfare agent, but has never been used on the battlefield.

Environmental Fate

Phosgene oxime does not accumulate in the soil since both phosgene oxime and the parent compound of phosgene have been shown to be highly unstable in the environment. Small amounts which may be present can vaporize into the air or be degraded by soil bacteria. Once in vapor form, phosgene oxime remains in vapor form and will be inactivated by compounds in the atmosphere or broken down by bacteria. There is no evidence that phosgene oxime will accumulate in groundwater. Phosgene oxime is fairly soluble in water and if exposed to soil moisture may rapidly decompose to CO2, HCl, and hydroxy amine hydrochloride.

Toxicity evaluation

The molecular mechanism of phosgene oxime toxicity is unknown. Phosgene oxime is the least well studied of all vesicant/urticant compounds but possible mechanisms may involve the actions of (1) necrotizing effects of chlorine, (2) direct toxic effects of oxime, and/or (3) the actions of carbonyl groups on the target tissue. One hypothesis is that phosgene oxime toxicity can be broken down into two mechanisms. First is a direct mechanism which will involve direct enzymatic inactivation, cell death, corrosive injury, and rapid destruction of the tissue that phosgene oxime has contacted. Secondarily, there are a series of indirect mechanisms that may increase tissue injury. There is activation of alveolar macrophages, recruitment of neutrophils to the damage site, release of hydrogen peroxide, and then delayed disuse injury following the edema associated with phosgene oxime exposure.

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