| |||
| Names | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name Methylphosphonic difluoride | |||
| Other names Methylphosphonyl difluoride Methylphosphonoyl difluoride, EA-1251 | |||
| Identifiers | |||
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3D model (JSmol) | |||
| 4-04-00-03508 | |||
| ChemSpider | |||
| MeSH | difluoride Methylphosphonic difluoride | ||
| UNII | |||
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| |||
| Properties | |||
| CH3POF2 | |||
| Molar mass | 100.00 | ||
| Appearance | Colorless liquid | ||
| Odor | Pungent, acid-like[1] | ||
| Density | 1.359 g/mL (77°F)[1] | ||
| Melting point | −37 °C; −35 °F; 236 K | ||
| Boiling point | 100 °C; 212 °F; 373 K | ||
| Decomposes[1] | |||
| Vapor pressure | 36 mmHg (77°F)[1] | ||
| Hazards | |||
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |||
Main hazards | Corrosive, toxic | ||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |||
Methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), also known asEA-1251[2] ordifluoro,[3] is achemical weapon precursor. Its chemical formula is CH3POF2. It is aSchedule 1 substance under theChemical Weapons Convention. It is used for production ofsarin andsoman as a component ofbinary chemical weapons; an example is theM687artillery shell, where it is used together with a mixture ofisopropyl alcohol andisopropyl amine, producingsarin.
Methylphosphonyl difluoride can be prepared by reactingmethylphosphonyl dichloride withhydrogen fluoride (HF) orsodium fluoride (NaF).
Methylphosphonyl difluoride is both reactive and corrosive. It is absorbed through skin and causes burns and mild nerve agent symptoms. It reacts with water, producing HF fumes andmethylphosphonic acid as a result. It is also capable of corroding glass.
In 2013–2014, the stockpile of chemicals covered by the CWC was removed from Syria and destroyed. Of the stockpile, 581 tons (over 96%) of the stockpile was DF. It was destroyed by the U.S. Army on the MVCape Ray by hydrolysis.[4][5]
