phosgene
Sign in to savePhosgene is an organic chemical compound with the formula . It is a toxic, colorless gas; in low concentrations, its musty odor resembles that of freshly cut hay or grass. It can be thought of chemically as the double acyl chloride analog of carbonic acid, or structurally as formaldehyde with the hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine atoms. In 2013, about 75–80 % of global phosgene was consumed for isocyanates, 18% for polycarbonates and about 5% for other fine chemicals.
AI overview
Phosgene is a toxic, colorless gas that smells like freshly cut hay or grass at low concentrations and is primarily used in industrial chemical manufacturing. Most of the world's phosgene production goes into making isocyanates and polycarbonates, which are important materials for various consumer and industrial products.
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Article
17 sectionsContents
- Structure and basic properties
- Production
- Inadvertent generation
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Combustion
- Biologically
- History
- Reactions and uses
- Laboratory uses
- Alternatives to phosgene
- Other reactions
- Chemical warfare
- Toxicology and safety
- Accidents
- See also
- References
- External links
Phosgene is an organic chemical compound with the formula . It is a toxic, colorless gas; in low concentrations, its musty odor resembles that of freshly cut hay or grass. It can be thought of chemically as the double acyl chloride analog of carbonic acid, or structurally as formaldehyde with the hydrogen atoms replaced by chlorine atoms. In 2013, about 75–80 % of global phosgene was consumed for isocyanates, 18% for polycarbonates and about 5% for other fine chemicals.
Phosgene is extremely poisonous and was used as a chemical weapon during World War I, where it was responsible for 85,000 deaths. It is a highly potent pulmonary irritant and quickly filled enemy trenches due to it being a heavy gas.