CS gas
The compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (also called o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile; chemical formula: C10H5ClN2), a cyanocarbon, is the defining component of tear gas commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent.
Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
[(2-Chlorophenyl)methylidene]propanedinitrile | |
Other names
2-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)malononitrile 2-Chlorobenzalmalononitrile o-Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile Tear gas | |
Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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ChEMBL | |
ChemSpider | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.018.435 |
EC Number |
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PubChem CID |
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RTECS number |
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UNII | |
UN number | 2810, 3276, 2811 |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C10H5ClN2 | |
Molar mass | 188.6 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder Colourless gas when burned |
Odor | Pepper-like |
Density | 1.04 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 93 °C (199 °F; 366 K) |
Boiling point | 310 °C (590 °F; 583 K) |
Insoluble | |
Vapor pressure | 3.4×10−5 mmHg at 20 °C |
Hazards | |
GHS labelling: | |
Danger | |
H302, H314, H330, H335, H372, H410 | |
P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P273, P280, P284, P301+P312, P301+P330+P331, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P314, P320, P321, P330, P363, P391, P403+P233, P405, P501 | |
NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC): | |
LCLo (lowest published) |
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NIOSH (US health exposure limits): | |
PEL (Permissible) |
TWA 0.05 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) |
REL (Recommended) |
C 0.05 ppm (0.4 mg/m3) [skin] |
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
2 mg/m3 |
Related compounds | |
Related compounds |
SDBS
5-chloro-2-quinolinecarbonitrile |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references |
Exposure causes a burning sensation and tearing of the eyes to the extent that the subject cannot keep their eyes open, and a burning irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat, resulting in profuse coughing, nasal mucus discharge, disorientation, and difficulty breathing, partially incapacitating the subject. CS gas is an aerosol of a volatile solvent (a substance that dissolves other active substances and that easily evaporates) and 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, which is a solid compound at room temperature. CS gas is generally accepted as being non-lethal. It was first synthesized by two Americans, Ben Corson and Roger Stoughton, at Middlebury College in 1928, and the chemical's name is derived from the first letters of the scientists' surnames.
CS was developed and tested secretly at Porton Down in Wiltshire, UK, in the 1950s and '60s. CS was used first on animals, then subsequently on British Army servicemen volunteers. CS has less effect on animals because they have different tear ducts and, in the case of non-human mammals, their fur inhibits the free entry of the gas.