Synthesis of some quaternary ammonium alkylating agents and their effects on soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase.

A number of compounds were synthesized and tested for their ability to realkylate the phosphonate anion of "aged", soman-inhibited acetylcholinesterase. None were found able to do so, but two of the compounds in particular, [2-(4-pyridyl)ethyl]diethylmethylammonium iodide (6) and its 2-isomer 7, proved able to slow the rate of aging significantly.