Identification of CS‐derived compounds formed during heat‐dispersion of CS riot control agent*†

Abstract

Abstract High temperatures are frequently used to disperse 2‐chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) riot control agent. We examined airborne CS degradation products heat‐dispersed together with CS from canisters of a type used by law enforcement personnel for crowd and riot control. Air contaminants derived from CS were trapped using a polytetraflouroethylene filter. Analysis was by open tubular gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Compounds observed in addition to CS included 2‐chlorobenzaldehyde, 2‐chlorobenzonitrile, quinoline, 2‐chlorobenzylcyanide, 1,2‐dicyanobenzene, 3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)propynenitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2‐chlorocinnamonitrile, 2,2‐dicyano‐3‐(2‐chlorophenyl)oxirane, 2‐chlorodihydrocinnamonitrile, benzylidenemalononitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2‐cyanocinnamonitrile, 2‐chlorobenzylmalononitrile, 3‐quinoline carbonitrile, and 3‐isoquinoline carbonitrile. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 13: 186–190, 2001