[Lacrimators as acceptors for NADH].

Lachrymators of varied structure are reduced either by hydrogen addition or halogen substitution using NADH model compounds as donors. Similar compounds without lachrymatory activity were reduced either very slowly or not at all. CS (o-Chlorobenzalmalonitril) is reduced by NADH, the reaction being catalyzed by an enzyme present in erythrocytes. Thus the lachrymatory action follows a general scheme for the activity of sensory transduction. This scheme consists of a reception in the nerve cell membrane and a fast or simultaneous chemical transformation in an enzymic reaction.