Abstract
A range of nitrogen containing bases was tested for the hydrolysis of a nerve agent simulant, methyl paraoxon (MP), and the chemical warfare agents, GB and VX. The product distribution was found to be highly dependant on the basicity of the base and the quantity of water used for the hydrolysis. This study is important in the design of decontamination technology, which often involve mimics of CWAs.
Highlights
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) have a devastating effect on the body and will disable or kill on exposure
The position of the peak corresponding to the dimethyl phosphate was in accordance with that previously reported for methyl paraoxon (MP) breakdown.[27]
On screening a range of bases for the hydrolysis of the CWA simulant MP, a correlation was observed between the breakdown product distribution and the properties of the base
Summary
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) have a devastating effect on the body and will disable or kill on exposure Blister agents, such as sulfur mustard (HD, bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide), target the skin and respiratory system causing severe pain and damage to the body whereas nerve agents, such as sarin (GB, isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) and VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate), target the central nervous system resulting in death through asphyxiation.[1,2,3,4,5] In the modern era, the first large-scale use of CWAs occurred during the 1st World War with the widespread use of chlorine and mustard gas.[6] The continuing use of CWAs throughout the world today, highlights the importance and need to develop effective decontamination systems that are applicable to a wide range of CWAs as rapid identification of the CWA is not always possible.[7]. Oxidation to the sulfoxide, or the addition of a co-solvent is most commonly used for HD deactivation.[15,16,17]
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