Halogen-Containing Compounds for Neutralizing Biological Agents
Abstract
Modern warfare is no longer limited to the use of conventional weapons; there is believed to be a huge store of chemical and biological weapons distributed among around the world. As a result, interest in developing Agent Defeat Weapons (ADWs) has grown significantly during the last few years. ADWs are airborne warheads which contain anti bioagent materials which may be iodine-rich compounds that form large amounts of elemental iodine as a detonation product ? a strong biocide against such agents as viruses, spores, bacteria, and parasites. ADWs demand easily containable, non sublimable, and thermally stable sources of iodine or iodine-containing species. It is our aim to perform systematic basic research in order to add markedly to the greater knowledge and understanding of the fundamental aspects of synthesizing moieties to be utilized in developing such ADWs. These materials will be laboratory tested to determine their efficacy in roles as ADWs. Our research efforts are focused as follows: 1) Synthesize energetic materials that are known or of new design that will a) provide an oxidizing environment (e.g., iodyl-substituted aromatics; iodo-nitro-substituted 5-membered heterocycles; and heterocycles that have been converted to salts with the I3O8- anion that can be reacted with an aluminum fuel creating considerable thermal energy; and secondarily b) based on biocidal reaction products (from the energetic), neutralize any airborne agents that may result from the initial action; 2) Synthesis and investigation of the utility of trihalotris(triazolo)benzene, a new member in the family of N-halotriazoles, and its decomposition products, as potential germicide or biocides by chemists at Indian Head Division (IH) – NSWC; 3) Molecular or ionic materials based on new types of functionalized halogenated fullerenes which can be synthesized using C60 (buckyballs) or halogen-containing C60 compounds that may be more effective in the initial destruction process with the additional capacity to counteract remaining harmful agents; 4) Theoretical or empirical calculations which allow prediction of thermodynamic (heats of formation), and detonation and density properties in order to guide synthesis goals as well as to determine the value of selected known compounds; 5) Materials will be thoroughly characterized with respect to chemical and physical properties in our well-equipped laboratories; and 6) Down selection of the most likely candidates for scale up and shipping for testing in collaboration with chemists at the Indian Head Division – Naval Surface Warfare Center facility. These test results will provide Go/No Go information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 26, 2016
- Source ID
- HDTRA11510028
Entities
People
- Jeanne Shreeve
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of Idaho