Chemical weapons
Download as PPTX, PDF
5 likes1,561 views
Chemical weapons can be categorized into four groups: nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, and blood agents. Nerve agents like sarin disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages and include tabun, soman, and sarin. Sarin is synthesized through the reaction of methylphosphonyl difluoride with isopropyl alcohol. Nerve agents inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, leading to symptoms. Treatment involves reactivation of the enzyme using oximes to attack the phosphorus-oxygen bond.
Chemical weapons
- 1. CHEMICAL WEAPONS Presented by: Hafsa Abdul Ghuffar Roll # 13-329
- 2. CONTENTS Why This Topic? Categories of Chemical Weapons Nerve Agents a. Names b. Synthesis of Sarin c. Mode of Action d. First Aid and treatment
- 4. CHEMICAL WEAPONS A toxic chemical contained in a delivery system, such as a bomb or shell. According to Chemical Weapons Convention CWC, the term chemical weapon is applied to any toxic chemical or its precursor that can cause death, injury, temporary incapacitation or sensory irritation through its chemical action. Munitions or other delivery devices designed to deliver chemical weapons, whether filled or unfilled, are also considered weapons themselves.
- 5. CATEGORIES Military planners generally organize chemical into four groups: 1- nerve agents (such as sarin and VX) 2 -blister agents (such as mustard gas) 3-choking agents (such as chlorine and phosgene) 4- blood agents (such as hydrogen cyanide).
- 6. BLOOD AGENTS Volatile, flammable, usually colorless gasses attack by being absorbed in blood Are cyanide or arsenic based act through inhalation Inhibit cells ability to transfer or utilize oxygen Arsine
- 7. CHOCKING AGENTS Attack on lungs and eyes. Injure victims through inhalation and have a mild effect on skin. Are gasses with specific odour. Chlorine gas and phosgene Low boiling points Phosgene
- 8. BLISTERING AGENTS A blister agent, or vesicant, is a chemical compound that causes severe skin, eye and mucosal pain and irritation. Chemically belong to these categories: 1. Sulfur mustards A family of sulfur-based agents, including mustard gas. 2. Nitrogen mustards A family of agents similar to the sulfur mustards, but based on nitrogen instead of sulfur.
- 10. NERVE AGENTS phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages to organs.
- 11. TABUN Tabun, O-ethyl dimethylamidophosphorylcyanide, with the American denomination GA.
- 12. SOMAN Soman, pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate, with the American denomination GD, a moderately volatile substance which can be taken up by inhalation or skin contact.
- 13. SARIN Sarin, isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate, with the American denomination GB, a volatile substance mainly taken up through inhalation.
- 14. SYNTHESIS Reaction of methylphosphonyl difluoride with isopropyl alcohol, which produces hydrofluoric acid as a byproduct:
- 15. SYNTHESIS By reaction of equal quantities of methylphosphonyl difluoride and methylphosphonic dichloride
- 16. NERVE AGENTS SLUDGE Syndrome Salivation Lacrimation (tears flow) Urination Diaphoresis (sweating) Gastrointestinal motility Emesis (vomiting)
- 18. MODE OF ACTION irreversibly inhibit enzyme acetylcholinesterase. If nerve agent is inhaled poisoning effects start immediately If nerve agent gets into body via skin it might take 20-30 minutes for the symptoms to appear.
- 20. MODE OF ACTION Normal Reaction Enzyme-OH + CH3C(=O)-O-(CH2)2-N+(CH3)3 ------- Enzyme-O-C(=O)-CH3 + choline Enzyme-O-C(=O)-CH3 ----- Enzyme-OH + CH3COOH (hydrolysis) Nerve Agent Enzyme-OH---X-P(=O)(R1)(-OR2) releases X- to give Enzyme-O- P(=O)(R1)(-OR2)
- 21. TREATMENT Reactivation Using Oxime The oxime (Pralidoxime in given example) attacks the P-O bond operational enzyme and a phosphorylated oxime, which is rapidly hydrolyzed to non-toxic products, are formed
- 22. TREATMENT Ageing In the "ageing" reaction, the phosphorylated enzyme is dealkylated Enzyme-O-P(=O)(R1)(-OR2) reacts to give Enzyme-O- P(=O)(R1)-OH The reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme itself Reaction may be extremely fast. Soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase becomes "aged" within a few minutes.