phosgene

noun

phos·​gene ˈfäz-ˌjēn 

: a colorless gas COCl₂ of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant that has been used in chemical warfare

Examples of phosgene in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But that was already made clear when the EPA advised officials on scene that phosgene — which was used as a chemical weapon in World War I — and hydrogen chloride would likely be created when vinyl chloride is burned and warned the public about that possibility. —Josh Funk, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2024

Of those, the vinyl chloride gas that caught fire could break down into compounds including hydrogen chloride and phosgene, a chemical weapon used during World War I as a choking agent, according to the EPA and the CDC. —Aya Elamroussi, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023

Burning vinyl chloride creates the toxic gas phosgene and hydrogen chloride. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024

Vinyl chloride, a colorless gas used to make the hard plastic resin found in products like credit cards, is a carcinogen, and burning it releases phosgene, a toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I, and hydrogen chloride into the air. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 17 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Greek phōs light + -genēs born, produced — more at fancy, -gen; from its originally having been obtained by the action of sunlight

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

phosgene

noun

phos·​gene ˈfäz-ˌjēn 

: a colorless gas COCl₂ of unpleasant odor that is a severe respiratory irritant and has been used in chemical warfare