ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses five major series of organophosphorus nerve agents. The G-Series Nerve Agents are alkyl phosphonofluoridates, alkyl phosphoramidocyanidates, and alkyl phosphonofluoridothiates. The V-Series Nerve Agents are alkyl S-2-dialkylaminoethyl alkyl phosphonothiolates, dialkyl S-2-dialkylaminoethyl phosphorothiolates, and alkyl S-2-dialkylaminoethyl alkyl phosphonoselenoates. The GV-Series Nerve Agents are alkyl phosphoramidofluoridates. Novichok- Series Nerve Agents are P-alkyl-N-fluorophosphonyl amidines, O-alkyl-N-fluorophosphoryl amidines or P-alkyl-N-fluorophosphonyl guanidines. Oxime-Series Agents are fluorophosphoryl dihaloformaldoximes or fluorophosphoryl (difluoronitromethyl) fluroformaldoximes. Organophosphorus nerve agents are relatively easy to synthesize and disperse. Nerve agents are the most toxic of formerly stockpiled man-made chemical warfare agents. These compounds are similar to, but much more deadly than, agricultural organophosphate pesticides.
