Soman is a family of volatile, liquid anticholinesterase nerve agents. Soman reacts irreversibly with the enzyme cholinesterase (ChE), thereby permitting a deleterious accumulation of acetylcholine at nerve endings, which can lead to rapid death.

GD causes miosis, salivation, lachrymation, muscular twitching and fasciculation, diarrhea, frequent urination, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure and death.

These autonomic, central and somatic neuromuscular systems are responsible for the lethal actions of GD.

LD₅₀ values are: rhesus monkey, 7 mg/kg, s.c.; rabbit, 16 mg/kg¹⁹.