nitrogen mustard

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of the class of poisonous, blistering compounds, as C 5 H 1 1 Cl 2 N, analogous in composition to mustard gas but containing nitrogen instead of sulfur: used in the treatment of cancer and similar diseases; mechlorethamine.

nitrogen mustard

noun

1. any of a class of organic compounds resembling mustard gas in their molecular structure. General formula: RN(CH 2 CH 2 Cl) 2 , where R is an organic group: important in the treatment of cancer

Word History and Origins

Origin of nitrogen mustard¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Yale University researchers in New Haven, Connecticut, first treated cancer with nitrogen mustard in 1942; the patient died of lymphosarcoma a year before the Germans attacked the Italian harbour.

From Nature

Over British protestations, in his official report he makes clear that nitrogen mustard is responsible for the injuries and deaths he is seeing, and that it came from an American ship.

From New York Times

A Russian official showed state journalists chemical equipment and materials, which are needed to produce sulfur and nitrogen mustard gas.

From The Guardian

Lerner noted that Peron was given a nitrogen mustard concoction in a last-ditch attempt to arrest her cancer, reportedly making her Argentina’s first chemotherapy patient.

From Washington Post

Soldiers' injuries caused by nitrogen mustard and lewisite gas during Second World War experiments at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC.

From Nature