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OptimusPrime · Boot Joined: 11 Apr 2005 Posts: 15

I don't like the sound of airborne contagion launched from the moon to earth using a huge cannon. That sucks.

Do you think that is what this picture/schematic is eluding to?

**Posted:** Thu Apr 21, 2005 6:35 pm

Russell

Again good solve everybody, and im not liking the look of either the weapons or the airborne contagion. To avoid doubling the workload have we emailed this to the relevant characters?

*Edit* Doh, the refresh didnt pick up the previous comment ! Sad

**Posted:** Thu Apr 21, 2005 6:37 pm

Russell

My chemistry A-level was almost 10 years ago so someone please clarify this for me! Smile

The chemicals that Simon needs as stated by blackbird are C,H,F,O,P.

The elements shown in the diagram all have the right number of bonds according to their electrons, F=1 O=2 P=5 and Hydrogen is never shown in chemical notations showing geometry. However the bond from the second oxygen links to two other bonds without an element included? We know it cant be carbon here as that has four bonds... So what is the full chemical notation? As it stands it is PFO2H3 with a missing element and no carbon included. Please help me Bang Head

Chemistry was never a strong point!

**Posted:** Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:13 pm

Wainamoinen

Looks like I sure missed a lot...

**Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2005 1:24 am

JoeUser · Decorated Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 189

OK, I'm not quite sure on the chemistry, but I've done some reading...
In organic chem diagrams, the hydrocarbons aren't usually drawn because they're so prevalent.

You basically use C + as many H as it takes to get the right amount.

FPOCH ₃ OCHCH ₃ CH ₃

Something along those line at least. I'm not sure about the correct way to write it or name it though.

Edit: chemistry link
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/basicorg/conventions/draw.html

**Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:09 am

Russell

But that still doesnt click with what the missing element is that has three bonds attached to it, if one of those was a double bond, then it could be C attached to the oxygen...?

**Posted:** Fri Apr 22, 2005 11:24 am

fabs_uk · Boot Joined: 03 Dec 2004 Posts: 59 Location: .cam.ac.uk

ok, the picture is of Sarin, also known as GB, a nerve agent/gas.
check out the structure on this page:
http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR1018.5/MR1018.5.appb.html
(second one down)
(the C's looks like G's on that page, but they aren't, i promise! Razz

Not sure where this gets us though....

[edit] the lines represent C-C bonds, any unmarked bonds are to hydrogen atoms, the filled triangle is a bond coming out of the page, the dashed/stripey one is a bond going into the page
HTH - chemistry a-level was only a couple of years ago! Wink