Sarin properties and synthesis CH3

H 3C

O
H3 C
P
O
F

Sarin, MFI, or GB, is an organophosphorus compound of formula [(CH3) 2 CHO] CH3 P (O) F. It is a colorless
and odorless liquid when pure (slightly irritating to the eyes), when impure is a light brown to dark brown
amber liquid with a vinegar-like odor, a sweet smell, a smell similar to a weak solution of ethyl, but not
comparable to that, the smell varies with the purity of the material, and can smell burnt rubber, mustard
and different slightly sweet smells, its taste when impure is slightly sour and sour.

Form an initial boiling point of 158 degrees Celsius, in technical grade (94% ~ 96% purity) had a boiling
point of 151 degrees Celsius (130 + ~ 149 + thermal decomposition, propene emission), the point boiling at
146-147 degrees Celsius, with a melting point in the pure form of -56.83 degrees Celsius, the melting point
varies greatly depending on the purity of the agent, sample obtained in MFI (German Stock Sarin) did not
freeze at -70 degrees Celsius due to the presence of the solvent, Sarin obtained in direct form after
distillation has a melting point of about -56.8 degrees Celsius. It is a volatile compound, has evaporation
proportionally similar to that of water. It is a compound soluble in water in all proportions and slightly
soluble in organic solvents, its best solvent is the distilled water.

Sarin persists in water for several hours (1 ~ 8 hours at 25 degrees Celsius), the stability of Sarin in water is
low, being rapidly hydrolyzed by it, sarin is completely hydrolyzed by water for approximately one day.
Sarin persists in normal environments for several hours, its persistence in all types of environments is very
low, persisting between 2.5 hours and 24 hours. Sarin is rapidly neutralized by aqueous and alcoholic
solutions of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and potassium phosphate, generating relatively non-toxic
compounds, decontamination kits for Sarin are satisfactory, hypochlorite solutions and salts of anhydrous
hypochlorites completely destroy Sarin and quickly, decontamination kits for mustard gas are satisfactory
for detecting and decontaminating Sarin under certain conditions.

The median lethal dose is 0.7 ~ 1 milligram to kill a 70-kilogram person, of which 4 milligrams are capable of
killing 5 people, their median lethal dose in rats is 0.405 milligrams per kilogram of body, the median lethal
dose in people is 0.010 ~ 0.014 milligrams per pound of body, the median disabling dose of Sarin is 140
micrograms for an adult of 70 kg, such disabling effects are permanent but non-lethal, the lethal dose of
Sarin is 1, 4 milligrams for an adult of 70 kilograms (0.02mg / kg). All doses are by inhalation. GB has a
toxicity estimated to be 4 to 5 times greater than that of Tabun, the median lethal dose of percutaneous
sarin is 1.7 grams for an adult of 70 kilograms (0.02428 grams per kilogram body), the lethal dose median
sarin via im in adults of 70 kilograms is 2.1 mg (30 micrograms per kilogram body). Sarin is 3 times less toxic
than Soman.

Sarin is effectively used indoors, tunnels, rooms, inside buildings and enclosed complexes, shelters and etc.
Sarin is effectively disseminated by common means of dissemination, explosives, rockets (SERGEANT),
atomizers, aerosols, humidifiers, sprays, sprays, nebulizers, pyrotechnic and thermal agents, vaporizers. In
solid form it is disseminated by propellants. Sarin is effective to contaminate water in short periods, but is
ineffective for long periods, is also effective to contaminate food, oils, some fuels, fats and lipids.

Sarin, as well as soman, cyclosarin and other organophosphorus agents, are thickened in polymer solutions,
Sarin is thickened in a 1% solution of polymethyl methacrylate in Acetone (usually exchanged for Toluene
and Dichloromethane) with stirring at 40 degrees Celsius per more than one day, this process is discussed
and practiced in the patent US3868446, the dispersion tested in the environment of the thickened Sarin
(Lucite (TGB)) obtained a persistence that passed from one year under normal conditions, propellants such
as the Sarin Nitrocelluloses very persistent, effectively passing 2 weeks at room temperature and normal
conditions.

A solution prepared from Sarin in proportion to 65% distilled mustard gas and 35% has a melting point of -
21 ~ -22 degrees Celsius. Sarin in admixture with Lewisite in a ratio of 37% / 63% has a melting point of -40
degrees Celsius. A mixture between Sarin and CX showed a melting point well below -40 degrees Celsius at
a rate of 50% each, ranging from -65 ~ -195 degrees Celsius, somewhat of extreme tactical value. Sarin is
mixed with solvents of high liposolubility to potentiate several times its dermal toxicity. Sarin is mixed with
an excess of Dimethylsulfoxide, the indissoluble phase is extracted by conventional methods, the procedure
is similar to those used to prepare dimethylacetamide / Sarin mixture and the like.

Sarin is toxic in all means of exposure. Used as a chemical weapon due to its extreme power under the
nervous system. The sarin agent was classified as a weapon of mass destruction in United Nations
Resolution 687. The production and storage of sarin were prohibited in the Chemical Weapons Convention,
1993, in which sarin is classified as "Annex 1 Substance".

The Sarin synthesis starts from several routes, the most common process for obtaining the Sarin precursor
is the KP Reaction with subsequent treatment of the precursor by the conventional sodium fluoride
procedure to give the Di-Di mixture or DF, methylphosphonyl Chlorofluoride is then drunk to produce Sarin.
Processes in which the Di-Di method are used for the bulk synthesis of Sarin. Purification of Sarin by column
chromatography is the standard procedure for the purification of G-series agents, purification of Sarin is
described by Leland K. Beach in U.S. Patent 2,991,302A.