QL (chemical)
![]()  | |
![]()  | |
![]()  | |
| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name
 2-[Di(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl ethyl methylphosphonite  | |
| Other names
 2-(Diisopropylamino)ethyl ethyl methylphosphonite N-[2-(Ethoxy(methyl)phosphanyl)oxyethyl]-N-isopropyl-propan-2-amine Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite O-(2-Diisopropylaminoethyl) O'-ethyl methylphosphonite  | |
| Identifiers | |
CAS Number  | 
|
3D model (JSmol)  | 
|
| Abbreviations | QL | 
| ChemSpider | |
PubChem CID  | 
|
| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)  | 
|
InChI 
  | |
SMILES 
  | |
| Properties | |
Chemical formula  | 
C11H26NO2P | 
| Molar mass | 235.308 g·mol−1 | 
| Appearance | Colorless liquid | 
| Odor | Strong fishy odor | 
| Boiling point | 230 °C (446 °F; 503 K) | 
Solubility in water  | 
Slightly soluble in water | 
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). 
Infobox references  | |
Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite (NATO designation QL), also known as O-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) O′-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.[1]
Synthesis
QL is manufactured by reacting diethyl methylphosphonite with 2-(diisopropylamino)ethanol.[2]
Uses in chemical warfare
QL is a component in binary chemical weapons, mainly VX nerve agent.[3] It, along with methylphosphonyl difluoride (DF), was developed during the 1980s in order to replace an aging stockpile of unitary chemical weapons.[3] QL is listed as a Schedule 1 chemical by the Chemical Weapons Convention.[4]
Toxicity
QL itself is a relatively non-toxic chemical.[5] However, when reacting with sulfur, the corresponding sulfide of QL isomerizes into the highly toxic VX molecule.[3][5]
References
- ↑ "Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite". PubChem.
 - ↑ "Isopropyl aminoethylmethyl phosphonite". PubChem.
 - 1 2 3 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, (ISBN 0309084520), accessed October 21, 2008.
 - ↑ "Schedule One Chemicals", Chemical Weapons Convention Archived 2012-01-03 at the Wayback Machine, US Government website, Retrieved November 15, 2008.
 - 1 2 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, (ISBN 1851094903), accessed October 21, 2008.
 
.svg.png.webp)

