Organic compounds of arsenic

G. T. Morgan, Organic Compounds of Arsenic and Antimony, Longmans, Green and Co., London, UK, 1918. 

Another organic compound of arsenic that is of historical significance was discovered in 1901 by P. Ehrlich. That compound is known as arsphenamine or Salvarsan, which has the structure... 

Arsenate Poisoning Arsenate is structurally and chemically similar to inorganic phosphate (P4), and many enzymes that require phosphate will also use arsenate. Organic compounds of arsenate are less stable than analogous phosphate compounds, however. For example, acyl arsenates decompose rapidly by hydrolysis ... 

The modern period of chemotherapy, the treatment of disease by use of chemical substances, began with the work of Paul Fhrlich (1854-1916). It was known at the beginning of the present century that certain organic compounds of arsenic would kill protozoa, parasitic micro-organisms responsible for certain diseases, and Ehrlich set himself the task of synthesizing a large number of arsenic compounds, ill an effort to find one which would be at the same time toxic (poisonous) to protozoa irj the human body and non-toxic to the human host... 

Commre Morgan, Organic Compounds of Arsenic and Antimony, p. 184. 

M. Dubb (ed) Organic Compounds of Arsenic, Antimony and Bismuth, Springer-Verlag,... 

M.Dub, Organometallic Compounds Methods of Syntheses, Physical Constants, and Chemical Reactions, Vol. 3. Organic Compounds of Arsenic, Antimony, and Bismuth, Springer Verlag, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, 1962. 

Organic compounds of arsenic syn. organoarsenic compounds are all toxic. They include phenyldichloroarsine, a tear gas and solvent. 

Salvarsan (606, Arsphenamine) is probably the most well-known organic compound of arsenic. It was first prepared by Sahachiro Hata and Paul Ehrlich in 1909, and was used as a cure of syphihs and sleeping sickness imtil penicillin was discovered. An infamous organic substance containing arsenic is the chemical weapon Lewisite, which is very toxic and is readily absorbed through skin (Fig. 4.3). 

Bunsen s researches on organic compounds of arsenic were reported very favourably by Berzelius, who saw in them a confirmation of his theory that organic substances are combinations of compound radicals with electronegative simple bodies, the only certain previous example of which was... 

Organic compounds of arsenic are also poisonous. Some were used as chemical weapons like methyl- and ethyldichlorarsine (RASCI2) or diphenylchlorarsine [blue cross, ( 6115)2AsCl]. Toxic side effects are known of arsphenamine (Salvarsan), an arsenic-containing medicament to treat lues. The methylated compounds like MMAA (monomethylarsonic acid CH3AsO(OH)2) and especially DMA A (dimethylarsinic acid (CH 3>2AsO(OH)) are produced by biota and are widespread in traces in the environment [3,4,8]. 

The test is specific for elemental arsenic provided the absence of inorganic and organic compounds of arsenic is assured. The presence of elemental germanium, molybdenum, tungsten or tellurium does not interfere. 

A number of organic compounds of arsenic are official in the B,P, and some of which are controlled by regulations made under the Therapeutic Substances Act and are assayed biologically for maximum toxicity and therapeutic potency. The following table summarises the compounds which are official in the B.P, or B,P.C,... 

The fact that several kinds of arsenic compounds are very poisonous complicates their disposal. Worst are probably arsine (ASH3) and arsenic trioxide (AS2O3). Arsenate salts have lower acute toxicity but appear to be carcinogens. Some organic compounds of arsenic have remarkably low toxicity, as noted in the lecture by Cullen (this volume). 

Watson A, Svehla Gy (1975) Polarographic studies on some organic compounds of arsenic. Part I arsonic acids and Part II phenyl arsenoxide analyst 100. pp. 489-502 and 573-583... 

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