Novichok: an overview of the world’s deadliest nerve agent

Hussain, Niha Mariam; Sharma, Sanjeev

doi:10.18573/bsdj.78

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Novichoks (Russian: Hoвичóк, “newcomer”) belong to the group of chemical warfare agents with a paralytic and convulsive effect, referred to as A-series nerve agents (NAs) [ 1 ]. First, Vil S. Mirzajanov revealed information about the secret Soviet initiative to develop Novichok agents ( Figure 1 ) in his book “State Secrets: An inside chronicle of the Russian chemical weapons program” [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Possible Therapies in Treatment of Novichoks Poisoning and HAZMAT/CBRNE Approaches: State of the Art

Noga¹,

Michalska²,

Jurowski

2023

JCM

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Novichoks-organophosphorus compounds belong to the nerve agents group, constituting the fourth generation of chemical warfare agents. The tremendous toxicity of Novichoks is assumed to be several times greater than that of VX, whereas no published experimental research supports this. They were surreptitiously created during the Cold War by the Soviet Union. Novichok’s toxic action mechanism consists of the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. The review includes data on treating poisoning caused by OPs which could be used as guidelines for the therapy in case of Novichok exposure and HAZMAT/CBRNE approaches. Novichoks pose a severe threat due to their toxicity; however, there is insufficient information about the identity of A-series nerve agents. Filling in the missing data gaps will accelerate progress in improving protection against Novichoks and developing optimal therapy for treating poisoning casualties. Furthermore, introducing solutions to protect medical personnel in contact with a hazardous substance increases the chances of saving casualties of HAZMAT/CBRNE incidents.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Possible Therapies in Treatment of Novichoks Poisoning and HAZMAT/CBRNE Approaches: State of the Art

Noga¹,

Michalska²,

Jurowski

2023

JCM

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“…This motivated further investigations of the chemical and biological aspects of Novichok agents. Since the first confirmed Novichok attack in 2018, a number of reports were edited summarizing information on Novichok compounds (almost exclusively theoretical data) including possible molecular structures, physico-chemical, spectroscopic, and toxicological properties and probable degradation pathways; ,,− however, experimental data remain very scarce. − Herein, we unravel for the first time the potential of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) for the catalytic destruction of Novichok agents (Figure ). MOFs are highly porous coordination networks built by the assembly of metal ions or clusters with polytopic organic linkers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effective Degradation of Novichok Nerve Agents by the Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework MOF-808

Koning

Soares

Grol

et al. 2022

ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces

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Novichoks are a novel class of nerve agents (also referred to as the A-series) that were employed in several poisonings over the last few years. This calls for the development of novel countermeasures that can be applied in protective concepts (e.g., protective clothing) or in decontamination methods. The Zr metal−organic framework MOF-808 has recently emerged as a promising catalyst in the hydrolysis of the V-and G-series of nerve agents as well as their simulants. In this paper, we report a detailed study of the degradation of three Novichok agents by MOF-808 in buffers with varying pH. MOF-808 is revealed to be a highly efficient and regenerable catalyst for Novichok agent hydrolysis under basic conditions. In contrast to the V-and G-series of agents, degradation of Novichoks is demonstrated to proceed in two consecutive hydrolysis steps. Initial extremely rapid P−F bond breaking is followed by MOF-catalyzed removal of the amidine group from the intermediate product. The intermediate thus acted as a competitive substrate that was rate-determining for the whole two-step degradation route. Under acidic conditions, the amidine group in Novichok A-230 is more rapidly hydrolyzed than the P− F bond, giving rise to another moderately toxic intermediate. This intermediate could in turn be efficiently hydrolyzed by MOF-808 under basic conditions. These experimental observations were corroborated by density functional theory calculations to shed light on molecular mechanisms.

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“…A Novichok agent (Russian: Hoвичóк, which means ‘newcomer’ in Russian) (Hussain and Sharma 2019 ) can be defined as a hypothetical group of nerve agents; some of these can be classified as binary (two inert substances combined prior to delivery to create the active nerve agent) chemical weapons. It is assumed that the Novichok agents come from the testimony and memoirs of Vil S. Mirzayanov, the Director of the Department of Counteraction against Foreign Technical Intelligence at the Russian State Union Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology (GosNIIOKhT) (Mirzayanov 2008 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do we currently know about Novichoks? The state of the art

Noga¹,

Jurowski

2022

Arch Toxicol

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Novichok is the name given to the group of nerve agents created stealthily in the later phases of the Cold War by the Soviet Union. Constitute the fourth generation of chemical warfare agents; like other nerve agents, they are organophosphorus compounds designed to be incurable and undetectable. The mechanism of action is based on the non-competitive and irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Due to their enormous toxicity, Novichoks have become attractive targets for terrorists. However, little information is known about the identity of nerve agents. Furthermore, these compounds have never been submitted to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Our article aspires to provide a general overview of Novichoks knowledge. As part of this, we reviewed the available literature data to answer the question, what are Novichoks? In addition to the physical and chemical properties of A-agents, synthesis, mechanism of action, and toxicity of nerve agents were also reviewed. We hope that this review will highlight the tremendous threat posed by nerve agents and will inspire further studies on the interdisciplinary aspects of these compounds.

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Novichok: an overview of the world’s deadliest nerve agent

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Review of Possible Therapies in Treatment of Novichoks Poisoning and HAZMAT/CBRNE Approaches: State of the Art

Review of Possible Therapies in Treatment of Novichoks Poisoning and HAZMAT/CBRNE Approaches: State of the Art

Effective Degradation of Novichok Nerve Agents by the Zirconium Metal–Organic Framework MOF-808

What do we currently know about Novichoks? The state of the art

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