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Nerve agents are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals (organophosphates) that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs. The disruption is caused by blocking acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that normally destroys acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.
The organophosphate nerve agents tabun (GA), sarin (GB), soman (GD), and cyclosarin (GF) are among the most toxic chemical warfare agents known. Together they comprise the G-series nerve agents, thus named because German scientists first synthesized them, beginning with GA in 1936. GB was discovered next in 1938, followed by GD in 1944 and finally the more obscure GF in 1949. The only other known nerve agent, O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VX), is discussed in a separate article of this journal (see CBRNE-Nerve Agents, V-series-Ve, Vg, Vm, Vx). G-series nerve agents share a number of common physical and chemical properties. At room temperature, the G-series nerve agents are volatile liquids, making them a serious risk for 2 types of exposure: dermal contact with liquid nerve agent or inhalation of nerve agent vapor.