Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite (NATO designation QL), also known as O-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O′-ethyl methylphosphonite, is a precursor chemical to the nerve agent VX and VR-56. It is a colorless liquid with a strong fishy odor, and is slightly soluble in water.[1]
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| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name 2-[Di(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl ethyl methylphosphonite | |
| Other names 2-(Diisopropylamino)ethyl ethyl methylphosphonite N-[2-(Ethoxy(methyl)phosphanyl)oxyethyl]-N-isopropyl-propan-2-amine Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite O-(2-Diisopropylaminoethyl) O'-ethyl methylphosphonite | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| Abbreviations | QL |
| ChemSpider | |
PubChem CID | |
| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
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| Properties | |
| C11H26NO2P | |
| Molar mass | 235.308 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Strong fishy odor |
| Boiling point | 230 °C (446 °F; 503 K) |
| Slightly soluble in water | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Synthesis
QL is manufactured by the transesterification of diethyl methylphosphonite with 2-(diisopropylamino)ethanol.[2]
Uses in chemical warfare
QL is a component in binary chemical weapons, mainly VX nerve agent.[3] It, along with methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), was developed during the 1980s in order to replace an aging stockpile of unitary chemical weapons.[3] QL is listed as a Schedule 1 chemical by the Chemical Weapons Convention.[4]
Toxicity
QL itself is a relatively non-toxic chemical.[5] However, when reacting with sulfur, the corresponding sulfide of QL isomerizes into the highly toxic VX molecule.[3][5]