VP (3,3,5-Trimethylcyclohexyl 3-pyridyl methylphosphonate), also known as EA-1511, is an extremely toxic organophosphate

nerve agent Nerve agents, sometimes also called nerve gases, are a class of organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanisms by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by the blocking of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), an enzyme that ...

of the V-series. Agent VP belongs to a class of organophosphates known as 3-pyridyl phosphonates. These agents are extremely potent

acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) also often called cholinesterase inhibitors, inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase from breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine into choline and acetate, thereby increasing both the level and ...

Synthesis

Methylphosphonic dichloride and

triethylamine Triethylamine is the chemical compound with the formula N(CH2CH3)3, commonly abbreviated Et3N. It is also abbreviated TEA, yet this abbreviation must be used carefully to avoid confusion with triethanolamine or tetraethylammonium, for which TEA ...

are dissolved in

benzene Benzene is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H6. The benzene molecule is composed of six carbon atoms joined in a planar ring with one hydrogen atom attached to each. Because it contains only carbon and hydrogen atoms, ...

. 3,3,5-Trimethylcyclohexanol is then slowly added while stirring and cooling. The reaction temperature is maintained at 10-15 °C. The mixture is then heated to 40 °C for 1 hour. A benzene solution of 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methylphosphonochloridate is formed. Triethylamine is then added to reaction mixture and 3-pyridol is added slowly while stirring and cooling. The reaction temperature is maintained at 35 °C. The mixture is then stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. The mixture is washed with a

sodium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye and caustic soda, is an inorganic compound with the formula NaOH. It is a white solid ionic compound consisting of sodium cations and hydroxide anions . Sodium hydroxide is a highly caustic base and alkali ...

solution and water. The solvent is then removed by

distillation Distillation, or classical distillation, is the process of separation process, separating the components or substances from a liquid mixture by using selective boiling and condensation, usually inside an apparatus known as a still. Dry distilla ...

at reduced pressure to yield the final product. The resulting product can be converted to a quaternary salt by reacting with a

haloalkane The haloalkanes (also known as halogenoalkanes or alkyl halides) are alkanes containing one or more halogen substituents. They are a subset of the general class of halocarbons, although the distinction is not often made. Haloalkanes are widely us ...

, such as

methyl iodide Iodomethane, also called methyl iodide, and commonly abbreviated "MeI", is the chemical compound with the formula CH3I. It is a dense, colorless, volatile liquid. In terms of chemical structure, it is related to methane by replacement of one h ...

, to produce a water-soluble agent.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trimethylcyclohexyl 3-pyridyl methylphosphonate, 3,3,5- V-series nerve agents Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors 3,3,5-Trimethylcyclohexyl esters 3-Pyridyl compounds Phosphonate esters

Synthesis

See also

References