Reagent (pronounced ree-ey-juhnt)
In
chemistry, a substance that produces a chemical reaction, used in analysis and
synthesis.
1785: A
compound word, the construct being re(act)- + agent. The prefix re- is from the Middle English
re-, from the Old French re-, from the Latin re- & red- (back; anew; again;
against), from the primitive Indo-European wret-, a metathetic alteration of
wert- (to turn). Agent is from the Latin
agēns, present active participle of agere (to drive, lead, conduct, manage,
perform, do) from the Proto-Italic agō, from primitive Indo-European hzéǵeti. It
was cognate with the Old Irish aigid, the Ancient Greek ἄγω (ágō) (I lead), the Old Norse aka (move,
drive), the Avestan azaiti and the Sanskrit अजति (ájati)
(to drive, propel, cast).
The
difference between a catalyst and a reagent is that catalysts are not consumed
during the chemical reaction, whereas reagents may be. A catalyst is a substance which can increase
the reaction rate of a particular chemical reaction, while a reagent is a
substance used in chemical analysis or to induce another chemical reaction.
Novichok
A Novichok (Russian: новичо́к (novičók) (newcomer)) agent is one of a number of chemical weapons developed by the state chemical research institute (GosNIIOKhT) in the Soviet Union (USSR) and Russia between 1971-1993. Said to be the deadliest nerve agent ever created, Novichok was designed in a way that evaded the restrictions on chemical weapons imposed by treaties to which the USSR was a signatory. Novichok agents have become well-known because they’ve been used to poison several opponents of the Russian government, most notably Sergei Skripal (b 1951; a former officer in the Russian military agent of UK intelligence) and his daughter, Yulia Skripal (b 1985) who were poisoned in the city of Salisbury, UK. The Kremlin denied complicity and accused the UK government of whipping-up anti-Russian hysteria.
The design requirements for Novichok included it being undetectable using standard equipment, being able to penetrate personal protective equipment, being easier to handle in its transportable form and able to circumvent the various chemical weapons treaties the USSR had signed. The use of reagents made many of these objectives possible. As a binary weapon, in which precursors are mixed to produce the nerve agent immediately prior use, handling is easier because, in un-mixed form, the reagents are less hazardous and thus simpler to store and transport. The reagents are also chemically less unstable and have a long shelf life although western analysts note at least one liquid form of Novichok is sufficiently stable to be able to remain deadly for decades if stored in a controlled environment.
Just before Ms Sturgess’ death, Bristol Dry Gin posted to its Facebook page an image of its new “limited edition” Novichok vodka, along with a promotional blurb: "Our new limited edition vodka is out! Set at 75%, this smooth drinking spirit is no laughing matter." "Available as a 35cl bottle, perfect for manbags and gym bottles, or as a pack of three 5cl minis, a great solution to body cavity searches. Get em from our web store or distillery.” Not so much the product as the timing of the release attracted criticism, many finding it in “poor taste” and the distillery in its statement of apology agreed, admitting the timing “may have lacked sensitivity” and was named and launched only after the Skripals had recovered. “It was intended to lighten the mood and ease tensions, not to cause offence, and reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. We sincerely apologize if any offence was caused, especially to the families of Dawn Sturgess and Charlie Rowley, and understand the timing of the release of this product may have lacked sensitivity. The Novichok Edition is a limited edition, which sold out within a hours of being released, and we have no plans to produce any more.”
Said to be the ideal oil for sukhariki (oven-toasted stale bread strips), the Novichok oil was marketed under the slogan “products for a long life” and, in a nice touch, the label included the famous insignia of the KGB. On Mr Yakushev’s webpage, to counter Western propaganda, he included in the “About us” section the line “We don’t hide money offshore,” in rhyme.
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