Difference between revisions of "Phosgene"
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| − | Phosgene is an extremely powerful choking agent, powerful enough to be used as a chemical weapon. The lethal dose is 0.01-0.03 g/l. | + | Phosgene is an extremely powerful choking agent, powerful enough to be used as a chemical weapon. The lethal dose is 0.01-0.03 g/l. There is no known antidote. |
[[Category:Things that can kill you very quickly]] | [[Category:Things that can kill you very quickly]] | ||
Revision as of 22:19, 4 September 2015
Phosgene, or carbonyl chloride, is a very toxic gas with a formula of COCl2.
Contents
Properties
Physical
Phosgene is an easily liquefied colorless gas with a smell that is often described as either freshly mown or stale hay.
Chemical
Phosgene is not very stable. It reacts with water, forming carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid. It is also quite reactive with various organic substances, which makes phosgene an important industrial chemical and precursor to things like plastics. Heat causes phosgene to decompose into carbon monoxide and chlorine.
Availability
Phosgene is sold in cylinders. However, given its extreme toxicity, organizations do not sell it to home chemists.
Preparation
Seriously, if you want to prepare phosgene, reconsider. It is an extremely potent choking agent. Death from phosgene is slow, messy and not pretty at all.
But if you absolutely want to know, it can be made by reacting carbon tetrachloride with sulfur trioxide or oleum.
Projects
- Do something else!
Handling
Safety
Phosgene is an extremely powerful choking agent, powerful enough to be used as a chemical weapon. The lethal dose is 0.01-0.03 g/l. There is no known antidote.
