Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine

chembox new
Reference= ["Merck Index", 11th Edition, 9158.]
ImageFileL1=Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine.pngImageSizeL1=100px
ImageFileR1=Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine3D.pngImageSizeR1=120px
IUPACName=2,6-Dithia-1,3,5,7-tetraaza-tricyclo [3.3.1.13,7] decane 2,2,6,6-tetraoxide
OtherNames=Tetramine
Section1=Chembox Identifiers
Abbreviations=TETS, DSTA
CASNo=80-12-6
PubChem=64148
SMILES=C1N2CN3CN(S2(=O)=O)CN1S3(=O)=O
Section2=Chembox Properties
Formula=C₄H₈N₄O₄S₂
MolarMass=240.26 g/mol
Appearance=White powder
Density=
MeltingPt= 255-260 °C
BoilingPt=
Solubility=0.25 mg/mL
Section3=Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=Poison
FlashPt=
Autoignition=
LD50 = 0.20 mg/kg (mice)

Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine (TETS, DSTA, also called tetramine) is a toxic organic chemical. It can be encountered also under the names Dushuqiang, Four-two-four, 424, NSC 172824, Meishuming, and Shanbudao. [ [http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/chemical/pim982.htm Basic datasheet for tetramethylene disulfotetramine] ] Its chief application is as a rodenticide (rat poison). It is uncommon and therefore little known. It is an odorless, tasteless white powder. It is slightly soluble in water, DMSO and acetone, and insoluble in methanol and ethanol. It is a sulfamide derivate. When crystallized from acetone, it forms cubic crystals with a melting point of 255-260 °C.

TETS is a neurotoxin, causing lethal convulsions. Its effect is similar to picrotoxin, another cage convulsant. It is one of the most hazardous pesticides. It is 100 times more toxic than potassium cyanide. It might be a more powerful convulsant than strychnine. It is a non-competitive GABA antagonist and binds irreversibly to neuronal GABA receptors and disables chloride channels, disabling the activity of neurons. There is no proven antidote. Lethal dose for humans is considered to be 7-10 milligrams. Poisoning is diagnosed by gas chromatography and the treatment is mainly supportive, with large doses of benzodiazepines and pyridoxine.cite journal |url=http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/289/20/2640 |title=Poisoning by an Illegally Imported Chinese Rodenticide Containing Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine—New York City, 2002 |volume=289 |issue=20 |year=2003 |journal=JAMA |pages=2640-2642]

It is retained in tissues of poisoned poultry and animals, posing a risk of secondary poisoning by eating their meat.

Its use worldwide is banned since 1984, but due to continuing demand and ease of production it is still readily, though illegally, available in mainland China and can be found in some illegally imported rat poisons. The best known Chinese rodenticide, containing about 6-20% TETS, is Dushuqiang, "very strong rat poison". It has been used for mass poisonings in China: in April 2004, there were 74 casualties after eating scallion-flavored pancakes tainted by their vendor's competitor; and in September 2002, 400 people were poisoned and 38 died from contaminated food. In 2002, there was one documented case of accidental poisoning in the US.

References