Chemistries of Chemical Warfare Agents
Brian J. Lukey, James A. Romano, Salem Harry in Chemical Warfare Agents, 2019
Physical Properties (http://webbook.nist.gov): Hydrogen cyanide typically occurs as a highly toxic gas with a density of 0.94 relative to air and a molecular dipole moment (gas) of 2.95 D (McClellan, 1963). In the linear hydrogen cyanide molecule, the nitrogen atom resides at the more negative end of the molecular dipole (Orville-Thomas, 1966). With a density of 0.687 g/mL at 10°C, liquid hydrogen cyanide has a low bp of 26°C and a freezing point of −13°C. The compound has a closed-up flash point of −18°C and a molecular mass of 27.0 g/mol. Hydrogen cyanide is colorless as both a gas and a liquid and has a bitter, almond-like odor. The odor threshold for hydrogen cyanide is estimated to be 2–5 ppm; however, some individuals are not capable of smelling the compound’s odor, even at lethal concentrations. Estimates suggest that 40%–60% of the population may not be able to detect the compound by odor alone (https://ehs.princeton.edu/). The compound’s rather high vapor pressure of 620 mm/Hg at 22°C ensures that it performs as a nonpersistent CWA.
Gases
Frank A. Barile in Barile’s Clinical Toxicology, 2019
Cyanic acid (hydrogen cyanate, HCNO) is the starting chemical principle for the various salt forms of cyanide, including the sodium (cyanogran, NaCN), potassium (KCN), and calcium (CaCN) salts. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN, hydrocyanic acid, prussic acid) is a gas and a catalyst and is prepared from the cyanate salts. In addition, the compounds occur naturally as cyanogenic glycosides. The compounds are found from 0.01% to 14% in the seeds of various nuts, including almonds (highest concentration, 2%–14%), cherries, plums, apples, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, and rosaceous plants, as well as in bamboo sprouts and cassava. Figure 25.2 illustrates the hydrolysis of amygdalin, the most widely distributed cyanogenic glycoside. Most hydrolyzing agents, in the presence of the enzyme β-glucuronidase, are capable of producing the hydrolysis products of amygdalin—that is, mandelonitrile glucoside (an intermediate) plus glucose, benzaldehyde, and hydrocyanic acid. Cyanogenic glycosides and hydrolysis of amygdalin.
Plant-Based Secondary Metabolites for Health Benefits
Hafiz Ansar Rasul Suleria, Megh R. Goyal, Masood Sadiq Butt in Phytochemicals from Medicinal Plants, 2019
The aglycone of cardiac glycoside possesses a steroidal structure. They hinder sodium/potassium ATPase-pumps within cell membranes. Also, they exert a potential effect on the heart by increasing contractility and reducing heart rate. The anthraquinone glycosides are responsible for the secretion of water and electrolyte, as well as peristalsis motion occurring inside the colon. The aglycone part of cyanogenic glycosides is derived from amino acids. Furthermore, cyanogenic glycosides are responsible for hypothyroidism as they hamper the iodine utilization. Sometimes they release highly toxic hydrogen cyanide being lethal at high dosage. The saponin glycosides are usually soap forming compounds that display immune modulating and antineoplastic effects in humans. Their aglycone part is hydrophobic and comprises of pentacyclic triterpenoids or tetracyclic steroids, whereas the glycone part is hydrophilic.36
Challenges in the diagnosis of acute cyanide poisoning
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2018
J. L. Parker-Cote, J. Rizer, J. P. Vakkalanka, S. V. Rege, C. P. Holstege
The current medical literature contains inconsistencies concerning the expected clinical and laboratory findings after cyanide poisoning. Conventional reviews report that hydrogen cyanide has a bitter almond odor. Prior reports claim that only 20–40% and possibly 60–80% of individuals can discern the odor [17,18]. Cherry-red skin is another physical exam finding that is reported as characteristic of cyanide toxicity, due to increased venous hemoglobin oxygen saturation. However, there is not a predictable incidence in which cherry-red skin is present upon initial presentation. Patients may present after cardiovascular collapse with subsequent cyanosis rather than cherry-red skin [1]. In one case series of intentional cyanide ingestions pink lividity and a “bitter” almond smell were not prevailing signs [19]. Additional signs and symptoms associated with cyanide toxicity are dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, tachypnea, tachycardia, restlessness, seizures, and loss of consciousness. However, these signs and symptoms can occur from a multitude of medical conditions and are not specific to cyanide toxicity. Metabolic acidosis with associated hyperlactatemia has been a predominant laboratory finding in various reports.
Development of sodium tetrathionate as a cyanide and methanethiol antidote
Published in Clinical Toxicology, 2022
Adriano Chan, Jangwoen Lee, Subrata Bhadra, Nesta Bortey-Sam, Tara B. Hendry-Hofer, Vikhyat S. Bebarta, Sari B. Mahon, Matthew Brenner, Brian Logue, Renate B. Pilz, Gerry R. Boss
Cyanide is a well-known toxic chemical. It is generated as hydrogen cyanide gas in structural fires and is a major contributor to death by smoke inhalation [1]. It is used in a variety of industries, with over three billion pounds of cyanide salts produced annually worldwide [2]. It has the potential to be released by terrorists and is considered a high-priority chemical threat by the Center for Disease Control. Currently approved treatments for cyanide poisoning in the United States are hydroxocobalamin and the combination of sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate. Both treatments must be given intravenously over 10–15 min, which would not be practical in the setting of a major fire, industrial accident, or terrorist attack. A treatment is needed that can be given quickly, for example by intramuscular injection using an autoinjector. This requires that the drug is sufficiently potent and soluble that it can be administered in a small volume.
The potential of volatile organic compound analysis for pathogen detection and disease monitoring in patients with cystic fibrosis
Published in Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 2022
Anton Barucha, Renan M. Mauch, Franziska Duckstein, Carlos Zagoya, Jochen G. Mainz
Regarding the use of VOC analysis for CF diagnosis, Barker et al. found N-pentane and dimethyl sulfide to be significantly higher in pwCF than in healthy controls. However, levels of ethane, propane, methanol, ethanol, acetone, isoprene, benzene, toluene, or limonene were not significantly different between the two groups [23]. Enderby et al. pioneered the investigation of breath hydrogen cyanide (HCN) with SIFT-MS. In a longitudinal study, they analyzed breath samples from a cohort of children and adolescents aged 7–17 years with CF (n = 16) or asthma (n = 21) during outpatient visits. A total of 263 breath samples for SIFT-MS analysis were collected over a period of 6 months. The authors detected significantly higher HCN levels in exhaled breath of pwCF when compared to samples from asthma patients [40].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Chemical Compound
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