Russian VX - VR

Eye Contact Flush eyes immediately with water for 10-15 min, then don a respiratory protective mask. Although miosis may be an early sign of agent exposure, do not administer an injection when miosis is the only sign present seek medical attention immediately. 

Skin Contact Don respiratory mask and remove contaminated clothing wash contaminated skin with copious amounts of soap and water immediately using 10% sodium carbonate solution, or 5% liquid household bleach rinse well with water to remove decontamination if local sweating and muscular symptoms occur, administer an intramuscular injection with the MARK I Kit seek medical attention immediately. 

Ingestion Do not induce vomiting first symptoms are likely to be gastrointestinal administer immediately 2-mg intramuscular injection of the MARK I Kit auto injectors seek medical attention immediately. 

Field protection Protective mask and protective clothing. 

This is supported by sources that suggest that a pilot production facility for VR was constructed at a facility in Stalingrad (now Volgograd) by the Soviets as early as 1956, 2 years before VX was selected for production by the United States. Research on the agent continued for an extended period as well - in 1974, a Lenin Prize was awarded to researchers who were investigating issues associated with VR. 

---

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). 

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. 

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... 

The V-series of nerve agents are less volatile than the G-series but are better able to penetrate the skin. Although they are an inhalation hazard when they are in the air as vapor or aerosol, they are considered more of a percutaneous hazard. This series contains VX, VE, VG (Amiton), VM, VR (RVX, Russian VX), and VS. The V designation is considered to be derived from Victory, Venemous, or Viscous. 

VR (RVX, Russian VX) - Phosphonothioic acid, methyl-, S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] 0-(2-methylpro-pyl) ester. ... 

Phosphonothioate S-substituted (Phosphonothiolate) VX [5 -2-(diisopropylami-no)ethyl 0-ethyl methyl-phosphonothioate] VR, Russian VX, [V,V-die-thyl-2-(methyl-(2-methyl-propoxy)phosphoryl) sulfanylethanamine] ... 

It has been claimed that the Iraqis used VX during the Iran-Iraq war, particularly against Kurdish citizens in Halabja on March 16-17 1988, leaving an estimated 5000 people dead. The evidence indicates that both Tabun and Sarin were used in that war, but not VX, although it has been suggested that the Russian VR may have been used. However, the Americans once used it successfully against sheep. 

---