Editing Phosgene (section)

==History==
Phosgene was synthesized by the [[Cornish people|Cornish]] chemist [[John Davy (chemist)|John Davy]] (1790–1868) in 1812 by exposing a mixture of carbon monoxide and chlorine to [[sunlight]]. He named it "phosgene" from [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|φῶς}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|phos}}, light) and {{lang|grc|γεννάω}} ({{lang|grc-Latn|gennaō}}, to give birth) in reference of the use of light to promote the reaction.<ref>{{cite journal |title= On a gaseous compound of carbonic oxide and chlorine |author= John Davy |journal= Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London |volume= 102 |year= 1812 |pages= 144–151 |url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015034564289;view=1up;seq=162 |doi= 10.1098/rstl.1812.0008 |jstor=107310|doi-access= free }} Phosgene was named on p. 151: " ... it will be necessary to designate it by some simple name. I venture to propose that of phosgene, or phosgene gas; from {{lang|grc|φως}}, light, {{lang|grc|γινομαι}}, to produce, which signifies formed by light; ... "</ref> It gradually became important in the chemical industry as the 19th century progressed, particularly in dye manufacturing.