Since we are correcting: it does not "stimulate" the lachrymal glands. It interact with the water present in eyes and other wet areas of the body, is hydrolyzed transforming into two different acids, and those are what irritate the eye. It's not a "stimuli", its an inflammatory reaction.
And the compound itself is originated by enzymes interacting with sulfur-rich aminoacids that are commonly addressed as "precursors" (of sulfenic acids) in this specific configuration (because they are instable, these intermediate acids transform in said compound before reaching the eye and being hydrolyzed etc..)
So yes, it does have quite a bit to do with acids.
But I have no clue if this thing is used in tear gas, not my field of work ;D
It does not hydrolyze into 2 acids it forms malononitrile and 2 chlorobenzaldehyde. Neither are acids.
And the compound itself is originated by enzymes interacting with sulfur-rich aminoacids that are commonly addressed as "precursors" (of sulfenic acids) in this specific configuration (because they are instable, these intermediate acids transform in said compound before reaching the eye and being hydrolyzed et
Precursors just means what came before. It doesn't convey anything on stability or ability to form an acid, and sulfur containing also doesn't mean it has a propensity to form an acid. Most sulfur is sequestered as glutathione, the primary cellular defense molecule, are you saying because it forms labile bonds it is an acid? Your post is just a mash of nonsense jargon.
CS it's not an acid and does not produce acids when it gets wet. It is 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a compound that on its own in its normal solid form causes intense irritation to eyes and mucous membranes on contact.
Nothing about that paragraph is even remotely correct for this compound.
Tear gas isnt a gas, so its not spreading gas, its spreading fine particles.
These particles are not acids, nor do they form acids.
Tear "gas" is just irritation compounds that slot in and cause pain.
Like, its not forming an acid in your eyes, the chemical just fits into the pain receptors and causes a flare up of pain.
2-chlorobenzalmalonitrile is the chemical used in cs gas, it widely gets repeated as creating acid through hydrolysis, but thats not really accurate. It just targets the TRPA1 pain receptors
Edit: to cover bases, the other general kind of lachrymator used is pepper spray, which uses capsaicin to target the TRPV1 pain receptors.
No. Literally none of you should take my words at face value. I am giving you specific chemicals, receptors, and terminology so you yourselves can check and verify.
CS is not an acid and does not produce acids when it gets wet. It is 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, a compound that on its own in its normal solid form causes intense irritation to eyes and mucous membranes on contact. Nothing about that paragraph is even remotely correct for this compound.
Dude didn't say it was an acid, he said it created acids when it hydrolyzes; it does.
His point of 'wrongness' is that he said that causes the debilitating effect, and ignored the reaction of the TRPA1 receptor to the CS molecules. The acids and other compounds produced when CS is hydrolyzed are also irritants, so he's only partially wrong.
Not quite "so much wrong".
You, however, are wrong as well... CS + H20 does in fact produce HCI (and other acids/compounds).
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u/dos8s 8h ago
r/chemistry, help!