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Phosgene, theacid chloride ofcarbonic acid, is an industrial chemical that was used as achemical weapon duringWorld War I. It is achoking gas that reacts with water to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas, which is corrosive. Exposure can lead topulmonary edema andchemical pneumonitis. Phosgene has many different names, including carbon oxychloride, chloroformyl chloride, carbonyl chloride, carbonic dichloride, CG (military) and carbonyl dichloride.

Decomposition

Like its parent compound carbonic acid, phosgene is very reactive and decomposes in the presence of moisture to formcarbon dioxide (CO2) andhydrochloric acid (HCl). The oxygen atom of water molecules act asnucleophiles and attack the central carbon atom.

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Phosgene decomposes in the presence of water to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride gas.

(CC) Image: David E. Volk Phosgene, a chemical weapon and industrial chemical
phosgene
IUPAC name: Synonyms: see below Formula: CCl2O (COCl2)
Uses:	chemical weapon
Properties:	corrosive
Hazards:	corrosive, produces chlorine gas
Mass (g/mol): CAS #: 98.92 75-44-5

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