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Degradation of the blister agent sulfur mustard, bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, on concrete.

AbstractThe products formed from the degradation of the blister agent sulfur mustard [bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide] on concrete were identified using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MSD), (1)H NMR, 2D (1)H-(13)C NMR and (13)C solid state magic angle spinning (SSMAS) NMR. In situ and extraction experiments were performed. Sulfur mustard was detected in the in situ (13)C SSMAS samples for 12 weeks, whereas less than 5% of the sulfur mustard was detected in extracts from the concrete monoliths after 8 days. Sulfonium ions and (2-chloroethylthio)ethyl ether (T) were observed on the in situ samples after a period of 12 weeks, whereas vinyl species and bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfoxide were observed in the extracts of the concrete monoliths within 24h. The differences between the extraction and the SSMAS data indicated that the sulfur mustard existed in the concrete in a non-extractable form prior to its degradation. Extraction methods alone were not sufficient to identify the products; methods to identify the presence of non-extractable degradation products were also required.
AuthorsCarol A S Brevett, Kenneth B Sumpter, George W Wagner, Jeffrey S Rice (Affiliation: GEO-CENTERS Operations, SAIC, Gunpowder Branch, P.O. Box 68, APG, MD 21010-0068, USA. carol.brevett at us.army.mil)
JournalJournal of hazardous materials (J Hazard Mater) Vol. 140 Issue 1-2 Pg. 353-60 (Feb 9 2007) ISSN: 0304-3894 Netherlands
PMID17049727 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Sulfonium Compounds
  • Mustard Gas
Topics
  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Construction Materials
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Mustard Gas (metabolism)
  • Sulfonium Compounds (analysis)