phosgene

phosgene

phosgene , colorless poison gas , first used during World War I by the Germans (1915). When dispersed in air, the gas has the odor of new-mowed hay. The gas is highly toxic; when inhaled it reacts with water in the lungs to form hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide. Because the upper respiratory tract is little affected, warning signs of exposure are slight, and symptoms may fail to appear for from 2 to 24 hours after exposure. However, the release of hydrochloric acid in the lungs causes pulmonary edema and may also cause bronchial pneumonia and lung abscesses; in severe cases death may result within 36 hours. Phosgene is now used in chemical synthesis. It may be prepared by the reaction of carbon monoxide with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst or by the oxidation of chloroform or carbon tetrachloride. Phosgene has the formula COCl 2 .

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"phosgene." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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phosgene

phosgene ˈfäsjēn n. a colorless poisonous gas made by the reaction of chlorine and carbon dioxide. It was used as a poison gas, notably in World War I.
early 19th cent.: from Greek phōs ‘light’ + -gen, with reference to its original production by the action of sunlight on chlorine and carbon monoxide.

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"phosgene." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"phosgene." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-phosgene.html

"phosgene." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-phosgene.html

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phosgene

phosgene (carbonyl chloride, COCl2) Colourless, toxic gas. It was used as a poison gas in World War I but is now used in the manufacture of various dyestuffs and resins. Properties: b.p. 8.2°C (46.8°F); m.p. –118°C (–180.5°F).

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"phosgene." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"phosgene." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-phosgene.html

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phosgene

phos·gene / ˈfäsjēn/ • n. Chem. a colorless poisonous gas, COCl2, made by the reaction of chlorine and carbon dioxide. It was used as a poison gas, notably in World War I.

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"phosgene." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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phosgene

phosgene (fos-jeen) n. a poisonous gas developed during World War I. It is a choking agent, acting on the lungs to produce oedema, with consequent respiratory and cardiac failure.

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"phosgene." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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phosgene

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"phosgene." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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phosgene. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)