| Cyanogen chloride is a combination of both an irritating and blood agent (because of its cyanide component), and was first introduced as a weapon by the French military in World War I. Cyanogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide had also been used in pesticide applications. In order to stabilize this compound, French chemists first found some success with a mixture of cyanogen chloride and arsenic trichloride, forming what was called “Vitrite.” Generally speaking, cyanogen chloride is less lethal an agent in terms of its toxicity than hydrogen cyanide (AC). A significant problem with hydrogen cyanide, however, is its propensity to explode. By being non-flammable, cyanogen chloride presented militaries with a safer, more deliverable option. Still, both hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride continued to pose problems for weapons designers because of their shared tendency to spontaneously polymerize. As a modern weapon, one is not likely to see cyanogen chloride due to its relatively low toxicity and its instability. It is a Schedule 3 compound in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Cyanogen chloride is a colorless liquid even at low temperatures and is a very volatile substance. It reportedly has an odor of pepper with some similarity to that of riot control agents.
Although the irritating effects (as noted below) can be readily apparent following exposure to cyanogen chloride, the more toxic principle of this compound is classic poisoning by cyanide. Cyanide stops the normal utilization of oxygen by forming an inhibitory complex with cytochrome oxidase in cells. The median lethal concentration (LCt50) of cyanogen chloride is estimated to be 11 grams-min/m3 (versus about 5 grams for hydrogen cyanide). The irritating effects of cyanogen chloride in humans has been measured at 0.0025 milligrams per liter of air, primarily on the eyes, causing severe pain and copious tearing. |
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