phosgene

American  

[fos-jeen, foz-] / ˈfɒs dʒin, ˈfɒz- /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a poisonous, colorless, very volatile liquid or suffocating gas, COCl 2 , a chemical-warfare compound: used chiefly in organic synthesis.

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phosgene British  

/ ˈfɒzdʒiːn /

noun

1. a colourless easily liquefied poisonous gas, carbonyl chloride, with an odour resembling that of new-mown hay: used in chemical warfare as a lethal choking agent and in the manufacture of pesticides, dyes, and polyurethane resins. Formula: COCl 2

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phosgene Scientific  

/ fŏs′jēn′ /

1. A colorless, volatile gas that has the odor of freshly mowed hay. When it reacts with water (as in the lungs during respiration), phosgene produces hydrochloric acid and carbon monoxide. It is used in making glass, dyes, resins, and plastics, and was used as a poisonous gas during World War I. Also called carbonyl chloride. Chemical formula: COCl ₂ .

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Etymology

Origin of phosgene

1805–15; < Greek phôs light (contraction of pháos ) + -genēs -gen

Example Sentences

Traces of the World War One poison gas phosgene were detected in an incident at Sweden's security service HQ last Friday, official documents suggest.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2024

The source materials for this need to be reactive, but that also usually makes them toxic, such as the commonly used phosgene.

From Science Daily • Jan. 10, 2024

The burning of vinyl chloride can send hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the environment.

From Salon • Feb. 21, 2023

When burned, vinyl chloride decomposes into gases including hydrogen chloride and phosgene.

From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2023

The only effective gases amongst them were phosgene and dichlorodiethyl sulphide.

From The Riddle of the Rhine; chemical strategy in peace and war by Lefebure, Victor