The use of nerve agents as warfare and in terrorist acts has drawn much attention
from the governments and societies. Such toxic organophosphorus compounds are
listed in Chemical Weapons Convention as Schedule 1 chemicals. The discussion about
the chemical identity of the elusive Novichok agents, more potent compounds than best
known G- and V-Agents, which have been implicated in recent rumorous assassination
plots, clearly demonstrating the importance of the matter. Furthermore, accidents with
pesticides or misuse thereof have been a pressing issue in many countries. In this context,
the continued development of novel cholinesterase reactivators, antidotes for organophosphorus
poisoning, a rather restricted class of pharmaceutical substances, is warranted.
Testing of novel candidates may require use of actual nerve agents. Nonetheless, only a
few laboratories comply with the requirements for storing, possession and manipulation of such toxic chemicals.
To overcome such limitations, nerve agents’ surrogates may be a useful alternative, as they undergo the
same reaction with cholinesterases, yielding similar adducts, allowing assays with novel antidote candidates,
among other applications.
