Tabun

Discovery
Discovered by	Gerhard Schrader
Discovered in	1936
Chemical characteristics
Chemical name	Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate
Chemical family	Organophosphorous compound
Chemical formula	C5H11N202P
NFPA Rating	Health - 4 Flammability - 2 Reactivity - 1
Boiling point	247.5 °C (477.5 °F)
Freezing/melting point	−50 °C (−58 °F)
Vapor pressure	0.07 mmHg (9 Pa) at 25 °C
Vapor density (Air=1)	5.6
Liquid density	1.0887 g/cm³ at 25 °C 1.102 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Solubility in water	9.8 g/100 g at 25 °C 7.2 g/100 g at 20 °C
Specific gravity	Not available
Appearance and color	Colorless to brown liquid. Faintly fruity odor (none when pure)
Fire and Explosion Data
Flashpoint	78 °C (172 °F)
Unusual hazards	Fires involving this chemical may result in the formation of hydrogen cyanide

Tabun or GA (Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate) is an extremely toxic substance that is one of the world's most dangerous weapons of war. Because it fatally interferes with normal functioning of the mammalian nervous system, it is classified as a nerve agent. As a chemical weapon, it is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations according to UN Resolution 687, and its production and stockpiling was outlawed by the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993. Tabun is the first of the so-called G-series nerve agents (along with GB (sarin), GD (soman) and GF (cyclosarin)). Tabun structural diagram Created by Maxim Iorsh with xymtex documentclass{letter} usepackage{epic,aliphat} pagestyle{empty} begin{document} begin{picture}(1200,1500)(0,0) put(0,0){square{0==P;1D==O;2==;3==;4==H$_3$C---H$_2$C---O}} put(200,-180){tetrahedral{0==C;4T==N... Dr. Gerhard Schrader (25 Feb. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is an international non-governmental organization devoted to the advancement of chemistry. ... A chemical formula (also called molecular formula) is a concise way of expressing information about the atoms that constitute a particular chemical compound. ... Note: This page soon to be renamed National Fire Protection Association. ... Allah is who made all of this. ... The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which it changes state from solid to liquid. ... The vapor pressure is the pressure (if the vapor is mixed with other gases, the partial pressure) of a vapor(this vapour being formed from molecules/atoms escaping from a liquid/solid). ... Density (symbol: ρ - Greek: rho) is a measure of mass per unit of volume. ... A solvent is a liquid that dissolves a solid, liquid, or gaseous solute, resulting in a solution. ... Relative density (also known as specific gravity) is a measure of the density of a material. ... Variation in the physical appearance of humans is believed by anthropologists to be an important factor in the development of personality and social relations in particular physical attractiveness. ... Color is an important part of the visual arts. ... A large bonfire. ... Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound with chemical formula H-C≡N. A solution of hydrogen cyanide in water is called hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid. ... Nerve agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in animals. ... Early detection of chemical agents Sociopolitical climate of chemical warfare While the study of chemicals and their military uses was widespread in China, the use of toxic materials has historically been viewed with mixed emotions and some disdain in the West (especially when the enemy were doing it). ... Weapons of Mass Destruction is also the name of rapper Xzibits 2004 album. ... The United Nations, or UN, is an international organization established in 1945. ... United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 was adopted at the 2981st meeting on April 3, 1991, to welcome the restoration of the independence of Kuwait. ... Chemical Weapons Convention Opened for signature January 13, 1993 at Paris Entered into force April 29, 1997 Conditions for entry into force Ratification by 50 states and the convening of a Preperatory Commission Parties 170 The Chemical Weapons Convention is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and... 1993 (MCMXCIII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... Sarin or GB (O-Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance. ... Boiling point 198 °C (388 °F) Freezing/melting point −42 °C (−44 °F) Vapor pressure 0. ... Cyclosarin or GF (Cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance that is one of the worlds most dangerous weapons of war. ...

Tabun is a colourless to brown liquid (depending on purity) It is volatile (evaporating readily at normal temperatures), although less volatile than either sarin or soman. Although odorless when pure, tabun is commonly described as having a faint fruity odor due to common manufacturing impurities.

Effects of overexposure

The exact symptoms of overexposure are similar to those created by all nerve agents, and are described in more detail in that article. Tabun, like all nerve agents, is toxic even in minute doses. The number and severity of symptoms which appear vary according to the amount of the agent absorbed and rate of entry into the body. Very small skin dosages sometimes cause local sweating and tremors with few other effects. Tabun is about half as toxic as sarin by inhalation, but tabun in very low concentrations is more irritating to the eyes than sarin. Nerve agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in animals. ...

The effects of exposure appear much more slowly when tabun is absorbed through the skin rather than inhaled: although a victim may absorb a lethal dose in 1 to 2 minutes, death may be delayed for 1 to 2 hours. Inhaled lethal dosages kill in 1 to 10 minutes, and liquid in the eye kills almost as rapidly. Most of what is known about lethal dosages are known from animal studies on monkeys.

Alternative names

Tabun is occasionally referred to names other than tabun or GA:

• Ethyl dimethylplosphoramidocyanidate
• Dimethylaminoethoxy-cyanophosphine oxide
• Dimethylamidoethoxyphosphoryl cyanide
• Ethyldimethylaminocyanophosphonate
• Ethyl ester of dimethylphosphoroamidocyanidic acid
• Ethyl phosphorodimethylamidocyanidate
• EA1205

History

This article forms part of the series Chemical warfare
(A subset of Weapons of mass destruction)
Lethal agents
Blood agents
Cyanogen chloride
Hydrogen cyanide
Blister agents
Lewisite
Sulfur mustard gas (HD and THD, HT)
Nerve agents
G-Agents
GA (tabun), GB (sarin) GD (soman), GF (cyclosarin)
V-Agents
VE, VG, VM, VX
Pulmonary agents
Chlorine
Chloropicrin (PS)
Phosgene (DP)
Diphosgene (CG)
Non-lethal agents
Incapacitating agents
BZ / Agent 15
KOLOKOL-1
Riot control agents
Pepper spray (OC)
CS gas
CN gas
CR gas

For an in-depth discussion, see main article on nerve agent history

Tabun, the first known nerve agent, was discovered accidentally in 1936 by the German researcher Dr. Gerhard Schrader. Dr. Schrader was experimenting with a class of compounds called organophosphates, which kill insects by interrupting their nervous systems, in order to create a more effective insecticide for the IG Farben pharmaceutical conglomerate at Elberfield. Instead of a new insecticide, however, he accidentally discovered tabun, an enormously toxic organophosphate compound still sometimes stockpiled today as a nerve agent. Taken from Image:WMD.png by Wapcaplet File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Dressing the wounded during a gas attack by Austin O. Spare, 1918. ... Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) generally include nuclear, biological, chemical and, increasingly, radiological weapons. ... A blood agent (also called a cyanogen agent) is a compound that prevents the normal transfer of oxygen from the blood to the body tissues, resulting in chemical asphyxiation. ... Cyanogen chloride, also known as CK, is a highly toxic blood agent first proposed for use in warfare by the French. ... Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound with chemical formula H-C≡N. A solution of hydrogen cyanide in water is called hydrocyanic acid or prussic acid. ... A vesicant (also known as a blister agent) is a chemical agent that causes blistering of the skin. ... Chemical structure of Lewisite Lewisite is a chemical compound from a chemical family called arsines. ... Chemical Structure of Mustard Gas Compound Mustard gas (HD) is a chemical compound that was first used as a chemical weapon in World War I. In pure form, it is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid at room temperature and causes blistering of the skin. ... Nerve agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in animals. ... Sarin or GB (O-Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance. ... Boiling point 198 °C (388 °F) Freezing/melting point −42 °C (−44 °F) Vapor pressure 0. ... Cyclosarin or GF (Cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance that is one of the worlds most dangerous weapons of war. ... VE (S-(Diethylamino)ethyl O-ethyl ethylphosphonothioate) is a V-series nerve agent closely related to the better-known VX nerve gas. ... VG (also called Amiton or Tetram) is a V-series nerve agent closely related to the better-known VX nerve agent. ... VM (Phosphonothioic acid, methyl-, S-(2-(diethylamino)ethyl) O-ethyl ester) is a V-series nerve agent closely related to the better-known VX nerve agent. ... The VX nerve agent is the most well-known of the V-series of nerve agents. ... Categories: Chemical weapons | Stub ... General Name, Symbol, Number chlorine, Cl, 17 Chemical series halogens Group, Period, Block 17, 3, p Appearance yellowish green Atomic mass 35. ... Chloropicrin is a slightly oily, colorless liquid of the formula CCl3NO2. ... Phosgene (also known as carbonyl chloride, COCl2) is a highly toxic gas or refrigerated liquid that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I. It has no color, but is detectable in air by its odor, which resembles moldy hay. ... Diphosgene (ClCO2CCl3) Diphosgene (Trichloromethyl chloroformate, ClCO2CCl3) is a chemical originally developed for chemical warfare, a few months after the first use of phosgene. ... The term incapacitating agent is defined by the U.S. Department of Defense as An agent that produces temporary physiological or mental effects, or both, which will render individuals incapable of concerted effort in the performance of their assigned duties. ... QNB redirects here. ... KOLOKOL-1 is an opiate-derived incapacitating agent. ... A riot control agent is a type of lachrymatory agent (or lacrimatory agent). ... Pepper spray is a non-lethal chemical agent which is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs. ... chemical structure of CS gas CS gas (commonly called tear gas), or ortho-chloro-benzal malonitrile, is a usually non-lethal riot control agent. ... Categories: Stub | Chemical weapons | Less-lethal weapons ... CR gas, chemically dibenz[b,f][1,4]oxazepine, is a lachrymatory. ... Nerve agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in animals. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Dr. Gerhard Schrader (25 Feb. ... An organophosphate (sometimes abbreviated OP) is the general name for any organic compound containing phosphorus. ... An insecticide is a pesticide whose purpose is to kill or to prevent the multiplication of insects. ... IG Farben (short for Interessen-Gemeinschaft Farbenindustrie AG) was a German conglomerate of companies formed in 1925 and even earlier during World War I. IG Farben held nearly a total monopoly on the chemical production, later during the time of Nazi Germany. ...

During World War II as part of the Grün 3 program, a plant for the manufacture of tabun was established in Dyhernfurth (now Brzeg Dolny, Poland), producing the nerve agent under the codename Trilon-83. Run by Anorgana GmbH, the plant began production in 1942. With early manufacturing problems, only around 12,500 tons of material were manufactured before the plant was over-run by the advancing Soviet forces. The plant produced shells using a 95:5 or 80:20 mix of tabun and chlorobenzene. The Soviet government had the plant dismantled and taken back to Russia. World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrinations, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atom bomb. ... Brzeg Dolny (German: Dyhernfurt) is a town in the Lower Silesian Voivodship of southern Poland. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Socialist republics/ Communist state Area  - Total  - % water Largest on the planet 22,402,200 km² ?% Population  - Total  - Density 3rd before collapse 293,047,571 (July... Chlorobenzene is a toxic aromatic compound, with the chemical formula C6H5Cl. ...

Like the other Allied governments, the Soviets soon abandoned GA for GB and GD. Large quantities of the German-manufactured agent were dumped into the sea. However, GA is much easier to create than the other G-series chemicals and the process is comparatively well known, as such states with less advanced industrial capabilities often start a nerve agent program with GA. In general, allies are people or groups that have joined an alliance and are working together to achieve some common purpose. ...

During the Iran-Iraq War, Iraq employed large quantities of chemical weapons against ground forces of Iran. The agents most used were mustard gas and sarin, but tabun and cyclosarin were also used. The Iran-Iraq War, also called the First Persian Gulf War, or the Imposed War (جنگ تحمیلی) in Iran, was a war between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran lasting from September 1980 to August 1988. ... Chemical Structure of Mustard Gas Compound Mustard gas (HD) is a chemical compound that was first used as a chemical weapon in World War I. In pure form, it is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid at room temperature and causes blistering of the skin. ... Sarin or GB (O-Isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance. ... Tabun or GA (Ethyl N,N-dimethylphosphoramidocyanidate) is an extremely toxic substance that is one of the worlds most dangerous weapons of war. ... Cyclosarin or GF (Cyclohexyl methylphosphonofluoridate) is an extremely toxic substance that is one of the worlds most dangerous weapons of war. ...

See also

• nerve agent

Nerve agents (also known as nerve gases, though these chemicals are liquid at room temperature) are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in animals. ...

References

• United States Senate, 103d Congress, 2d Session. (May 25, 1994). Material Safety Data Sheet—Lethal Nerve Agent Tabun (GA). Retrieved Nov. 6, 2004.
• United States Central Intelligence Agency (Jul. 15, 1996) Stability of Iraq's Chemical Weapon Stockpile