“After studying the movements of the Skripals after being poisoned, we have now revised our understanding, and we now believe that one of its primary effects is to generate in its victims a strong desire to go out for a beer followed by a pizza.” Anonymous “Uniquely Russian technology? My ass!” Professor Dave Collum — Cornell University

In the aftermath of the “Skripal Affair”, Professor Dave Collum asserted that any credible organic chemist could make novichok nerve agents. It is fair to say that the good professor just made a strong point. Follow us on Twitter: @Intel_Today

One question on the final exam of the organic synthesis course by Professor Collum at Cornell must have caused a bit of a surprise among the 1st year graduate students.

Nevertheless, fourteen of the fifteen students answered the question perfectly. So much for the “uniquely Russian technology”!

What Organic Chemistry tells us about Novichok and the Skripal Case

REFERENCES

Novichok agent – Wikipedia

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Salisbury Incident — Making Novichok… For the Final Exam