CClCO
CClCO, or carbonyl chloride, is a chemical compound with the formula Cl₂C=O. It is commonly known as phosgene, a colorless gas with a faint, sweet odor, though its smell is often described as unpleasant at higher concentrations. Phosgene was first identified in 1812 by the French chemist Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac, who synthesized it by reacting chlorine gas with carbon monoxide. It gained notoriety during World War I as a chemical warfare agent due to its high toxicity and ability to cause severe respiratory distress.
Phosgene is highly reactive and serves as an important intermediate in organic synthesis. It is primarily used
The toxicity of phosgene arises from its ability to react with water in the lungs, forming hydrochloric
Phosgene is regulated under international chemical weapons conventions, such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which