Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite (NATO designation QL), also known as O-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) -ethyl methylphosphonite, is a precursor chemical to the nerve agent VX and VR-56. It is a colorless liquid with a strong fishy odor, and is slightly soluble in water.
Synthesis QL is manufactured by the transesterification of diethyl methylphosphonite with 2-(diisopropylamino)ethanol.
Uses in chemical warfare QL is a component in binary chemical weapons, mainly VX nerve agent.National Research Council, et al. Systems and Technologies for the Treatment of Non-stockpile Chemical Warfare Materiel, (Google Books), National Academies Press, 2002, p. 14, (), accessed October 21, 2008. It, along with methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), was developed during the 1980s in order to replace an aging stockpile of unitary chemical weapons. QL is listed as a Schedule 1 chemical by the Chemical Weapons Convention."Schedule One Chemicals", Chemical Weapons Convention , US Government website, Retrieved November 15, 2008.
Toxicity QL itself is a relatively non-toxic chemical.Croddy, Eric and Wirtz, James J. Weapons of Mass Destruction: An Encyclopedia of Worldwide Policy, Technology, and History, (Google Books), ABC-CLIO, 2005, p. 238, (), accessed October 21, 2008. However, when reacting with sulfur, the corresponding sulfide of QL isomerizes into the highly toxic VX molecule.
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