Dimethylamidophosphoric dichloride is an important chemical for few industrial purposes. It is an important chemical for synthesizing
phosphoramidate
Phosphoramidates (sometimes also called amidophosphates) are a class of phosphorus compounds structurally related to phosphates (or organophosphates) via the substitution of an OR for a NR2. They are derivatives of phosphoramidic acids O=P(OH)(NR2 ...
s as well as
Nerve agent GA which is used as a chemical weapon.
Safety
This chemical is also corrosive, flammable and will cause mild nerve agent symptoms if ingested or absorbed through skin due to its nature. It will react with water giving off
hydrogen chloride
The compound hydrogen chloride has the chemical formula and as such is a hydrogen halide. At room temperature, it is a colourless gas, which forms white fumes of hydrochloric acid upon contact with atmospheric water vapor. Hydrogen chloride ga ...
vapors and
dimethylamidophosphoric acid.
History
First synthesis of the substance dates back to turn of the 19th century, when a student of German chemistry professor
August Michaelis
August Michaelis (26 December 1847 – 31 January 1916) was a German chemist and discovered the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction.
Michaelis studied at the University of Göttingen and University of Jena and became professor for chemistry at Universit ...
Ernst Ratzlaff made dimethylamidophosphoric dichloride as well as its diethyl analog for experiments of another PhD student of Michaelis Adolph Schall.
He obtained a PhD at
University of Rostock
The University of Rostock (german: link=no, Universität Rostock) is a public university located in Rostock, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Founded in 1419, it is the third-oldest university in Germany. It is the oldest university in continen ...
with a thesis titled ''Über die Einwirkung primärer und sekundärer Amine auf Phosphoroxychlorid und Äthoxylphosphoroxychlorid'' later in 1901. The high toxicity of the substance (as well as high toxicity of ethyl diethylaminocyanophosphonate, an analog of
tabun synthesised by Schall) wasn't noticed at time, most likely due to the low yield of synthetic reactions used.
See also
*
Organophosphate poisoning
Organophosphate poisoning is poisoning due to organophosphates (OPs). Organophosphates are used as insecticides, medications, and nerve agents. Symptoms include increased saliva and tear production, diarrhea, vomiting, small pupils, sweating, mus ...
References
{{Chemical agents
Nerve agent precursors
Chlorides