Cacodylic acid


Cacodylic acid is the organoarsenic compound with the formula 2AsO2H. With the formula R2AsOH, it is the simplest of the organoarsinic acids. It is a colorless solid that is soluble in water.
Neutralization of cacodylic acid with base gives cacodylate salts, e.g. sodium cacodylate. They are potent herbicides. Cacodylic acid/sodium cacodylate is a buffering agent in the preparation and fixation of biological samples for electron microscopy.

History

In the 18th century it was found that combining As2O3 and four equivalents of potassium acetate gives a product called "Cadet's fuming liquid" which contains cacodyl oxide, 2O and cacodyl, 2.
Early research into "cacodyls" was reported by Robert Bunsen at the University of Marburg. Bunsen said of the compounds, "the smell of this body produces instantaneous tingling of the hands and feet, and even giddiness and insensibility...It is remarkable that when one is exposed to the smell of these compounds the tongue becomes covered with a black coating, even when no further evil effects are noticeable". His work in this field led to an increased understanding of the methyl group.
Cacodyl oxide, 2O, is often considered the first organometallic compound to be prepared synthetically.
Cacodylic acid and its salts were incorporated into herbicides by large variety of manufacturers under numerous brand names. APC Holdings Corp. sold cacodylic acid and its salts under the Phytar brand name. The variety used in Vietnam was Phytar 560G. "Agent Blue," a mixture of cacodylic acid and sodium cacodylate was used during the Vietnam War as a defoliant.

Reactions

Cacodylic acid is a weak acid with a pKa of 6.
Cacodylic acid can be reduced to dimethylarsine, which is a versatile intermediate for the synthesis of other organoarsenic compounds:

Health effects

Cacodylic acid is highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. The U.S. EPA states that all forms of arsenic are a serious risk to human health and the United States' Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ranked arsenic as number 1 in its 2001 Priority List of Hazardous Substances at Superfund sites. Arsenic is classified as a Group-A carcinogen.