Chemically, it is a thio-ether with the formula C4H8Cl2S. Its structure can be described as 1,1-thio-bis-[2-chloroethane], (ClCH2CH2)2S, 2,2 & 8242;-dichlorodiethyl sulfide or bis-(2-chloroethyl)-sulfide.It can be synthesized by reacting sulfur dichloride (SCl2) with two moles of ethylene (C2H4).The compound readily eliminates chloride ion by intramolecular nucleophilic substitution to form a cyclic sulfonium ion. This very reactive intermediate is particularly detrimental to cellular health as it has a strong tendency to bond to the guanine nitrogen in DNA strands. This leads to either immediate cellular death or, as recent research has found, cancer. It is almost odourless and takes twelve hours to take effect. It is so powerful that only small amounts had to be added to high explosive shells to be effective. Which unpleasant thing is being described here?
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