soman

Soman is an extremely toxic organophosphorus nerve agent developed as a chemical warfare agent. It is a clear to yellow-brown liquid with a faint odor resembling camphor or rotten fruit. Soman acts by irreversibly inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase enzymes in the nervous system. This inhibition leads to accumulation of acetylcholine at synapses and neuromuscular junctions, causing continuous stimulation of muscles and glands which can result in convulsions, paralysis, respiratory failure and death within minutes if untreated. Soman is classified as a Schedule 1 chemical weapon under the Chemical Weapons Convention; its production and stockpiling are strictly controlled internationally[1][4]. It was originally developed in Germany in 1944 for potential use as an insecticide but was weaponized due to its extreme toxicity[4]. Soman is more volatile than VX but less so than sarin (GB), making it an immediate yet short-lived threat when released into the environment[4][7].

Other names

Zomanpinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridatepinacoloxymethylphosphoryl fluoridemethylphosphonofluoridic acid 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl ester