Synthesis and Mass Spectral Analysis of HD Degradation Products: A Computational Elucidation Of The Results
Abstract
Degradation products that could reasonably form upon storage of sulfur mustard have been synthesized and analyzed by GC/MS. Elucidation of the fragmentation pathways was accomplished by means of B3LYP/6-31+G(d) calculations. Sulfur mustard, HD or bis(2- chloroethyl)sulfide [1] was first introduced as a chemical warfare agent in WW1. Its production has continued to the present, most horrifically against civilians in the 1980s Iran-Iraq war. Due to its ease of synthesis and stockpiling by several countries, its exploitation by terrorists remains an alarming possibility. Numerous publications exist concerning the pathways and products of sulfur mustard degradation under both field and laboratory conditions. One compound, [2], has been identified spectroscopically in ton containers in quantities approaching 3%; however, direct confirmation of its presence has not been determined using an authentic synthetic sample. In order to thoroughly study the degradation products of [1], [2]and ten related sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones that could reasonably form in the degradation and manufacture of [1] were prepared.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA503634
Entities
People
- Dennis K. Rohrbaugh
- Fu-lian Hsu
- Harold D. Banks
- Mark D Winemiller
- Sue Y. Bae
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center