ROOM TEMPERATURE MINERALIZATION OF CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS USING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE – Pd/C

The deep oxidation of toxic organics and chemical warfare (CW) agent simulants using Pd/C and dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide at 80−90°C was recently demonstrated by Sen et al. This process offers a chemical means of destroying CW materials in a manner traditionally achievable only by incineration. Our investigations of the common simulant dimethyl methylphosponate (DMMP) have shown mineralization to inorganic phosphate using H2O2–Pd/C at 90°C. Oxidative cleavage of DMMP to methylphosphonic acid is most effective at room temperature, apparently due to reduced H2O2 decomposition. Similarly, GD and VX also showed oxidative cleavage at room temperature, and formation of inorganic phosphate. For HD and its simulant thiodiglycol, mineralization is also evident at room temperature.