Oxidative Neutralization of Mustard‐Gas Simulants in an On‐Board Flow Device with In‐Line NMR Monitoring

Abstract

Abstract The fast and effective neutralization of the mustard‐gas simulant 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) using a simple and portable continuous flow device is reported. Neutralization takes place through a fully selective sulfoxidation by a stable source of hydrogen peroxide (alcoholic solution of urea–H 2 O 2 adduct/MeSO 3 H freshly prepared). The reaction progress can be monitored with an in‐line benchtop NMR spectrometer, allowing a real‐time adjustment of reaction conditions. Inherent features of millireactors, that is, perfect control of mixing, heat and reaction time, allowed the neutralization of 25 g of pure CEES within 46 minutes in a 21.5 mL millireactor ( t R =3.9 minutes). This device, which relies on affordable and nontoxic reagents, fits into a suitcase, and can be deployed by police/military forces directly on the attack site.