Methylphosphonyl difluoride

Methylphosphonyl difluoride
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methylphosphonic difluoride
Other names
Methylphosphonyl difluoride
Methylphosphonoyl difluoride
Identifiers
4-04-00-03508
676-99-3
ChemSpider 62813 
Jmol-3D images Image
MeSH difluoride Methylphosphonic difluoride
PubChem 69610
Properties
CH3POF2
Molar mass 100.00
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), also called methyl difluorophosphite, methylphosphonic difluoride, and difluoromethylphosphine oxide, is a chemical weapon precursor. Its chemical formula is CH3POF2. It is a Schedule 1 substance in the sense of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is used for production of sarin and soman as a component of binary chemical weapons; an example is the M687 artillery shell, where it is used together with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and isopropyl amine, producing sarin.

Preparation

Methylphosphonyl difluoride can be prepared by reacting methylphosphonyl dichloride with hydrogen fluoride (HF) or sodium fluoride (NaF).

Safety

Methylphosphonyl difluoride is both reactive and corrosive. It is absorbed through skin and cause burns and mild nerve agent symptoms. It reacts with water producing HF fumes and methylphosphonic acid as a result. It is also capable of corroding glass. It has a boiling point of only 55.4 °C at normal atmospheric pressure, and thus a fairly high vapor pressure at room temperature.

References