| T-2[1] | |
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(2α,3α,4β,8α)-4,15-bis(acetyloxy)-3-hydroxy-12,13-epoxytrichothec-9-en-8-yl 3-methylbutanoate |
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Other names
T-2 Toxin |
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| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 21259-20-1 |
| PubChem | 5284461 |
| ChemSpider | 4447526 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL152423 |
| RTECS number | YD0100000 |
| Jmol-3D images | Image 1 |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C24H34O9 |
| Molar mass | 466.52 g mol−1 |
| Solubility in water | Insoluble |
| (verify) (what is: /?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
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| Infobox references | |
T-2 is a trichothecene mycotoxin. It is a naturally occurring mold byproduct of Fusarium spp fungus which is toxic to humans and animals. The clinical condition it causes is alimentary toxic aleukia and a host of symptoms related to organs as diverse as the skin, airway, and stomach ingestion may come from consumption of moldy whole grains.
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Consideration by Russian scientists of the possible usefulness of T-2 mycotoxin as a biological weapon followed an observation that, after a spring harvest delayed by World War II, flour contaminated with Fusarium was produced and distributed in bread, causing significant morbidity and mortality. T-2 has also been suggested as a cause of the Plague of Athens (430 BC). T-2 is an infrequent contaminant in animal feed.
T-2 was proposed as a cause of Gulf War Syndrome for some United States troops exposed to mortar shells containing T-2 shot by Iraqi forces during the Persian Gulf War. Also, the substance was considered in the investigation of the poisoning of Viktor Yushchenko during his campaign in the Ukrainian presidential election, 2004, though doctors now believe it was the dioxin TCDD.