Russian VX

During the same period, Soviet scientists developed the so-called Russian VX (VR, RVX, R 033) (Kassa et al., 2006 Kuca et al., 2006). The chemical structure of VX was unknown for a long time. Therefore some attempts to resolve this question have been made (Bajgar, 1968). Because of these ambiguities and difficulties in synthesis, model V agent [EDMM, G-ethyl 5-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate] was initially used in the Eastern Block to study antidotal treatment. Another structural analog of VX known as Chinese VX (CVX) was also developed and studied (Eckert et al., 2006). 

Kuca, K., Jun, D., Cabal, J., Hrabinova, M., Bartosova, L., Opletalova, V. (2006). Russian VX inhibition and reactivation of acetylcholinesterase and its comparison with VX-agent. Basic Clin. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 98 389-94. 

The chemical warfare (CW) nerve agents primarily addressed in this chapter include the anticholinesterase nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), cyclosarin (GF), and VX, all of which are, or have been, part of the US domestic munitions inventories (Carnes, 1989 NRC, 1999 Opresko et al, 1998). Russian VX (often represented as VR) will be evaluated in the following chapter by Radilov et al. (2009). Other, less well-characterized nerve agents such as compound GE, VG (Amiton ) or Vx will be evaluated as data allow. 

Radilov, A. et al. (2009). Russian VX toxicity, risk exposure and hygienic regulations. In Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents (R. Gupta, ed.), pp. 69-91, Elsevier, San Diego, CA. 

The arbitrary name VX relates to a group of D,5-diesters of methylphosphonic acid ROPO(CH3)S(CH2)2N(Rl)2. D-Isobutyl 5-2-(diethylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate (R= /Bu, R1 = Et), produced since 1972 exclusively in the former Soviet Union, was generally referred to as Russian VX or RVX (CAS 159939-87-4). The synonyms are VR VA phosphonothioic acid methyl-, 5-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] D-(2-methylpropyl) ester D-isobutyl5-2-(diethylamino)ethyl methylthiophosphonate D-isobutyl 5-(W-diethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate and Russian V-gas. The brutto formula of RVX is C11H26SNPO2 (MW 276.37). The stmctural formula of RVX is presented in Figure 7.1. 

AChE - acetylcholinesterase BChE - butyrylcholinesterase CarbE - carboxylesterase CVX - Chinese VX hr wt - human recombinant wild-type k at catalytic constant for hydrolysis PONl - paraoxonase 1 VR - Russian VX... 

Barr, J.R., Driskell, W.J., Aston, L.S., Martinez, R.A. (2004). Quantitation of metabolites of the nerve agents sarin, soman, cyclohexylsarin, VX and Russian VX in human urine using isotope-dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J. Anal. Toxicol. 28 372-8. 

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