New microemulsions for oxidative decontamination of mustard gas analogues and polymer-thickened half-mustard

Abstract

Chemical decontamination of toxic compounds (warfare agents and pesticides) is of increasing importance. In this study, we report the oxidation of mustard gas analogues in microemulsion media. A first formulation, very well-suited for stock-pile destruction, allows a fast, quantitative and chemoselective oxidation of the analogues. In a second formulation, the choice of microemulsion components used allowed us to study the oxidation of a polymer-thickened half-mustard (2-chloroethylphenyl sulfide), opening the field of application of these microemulsions to on-site decontamination. These results confirm both the efficiency and potential of microemulsions for mustard gas destruction/decontamination in essentially aqueous systems.