Water Science & Technology Vol 66 No 7 pp 1377–1383 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wst.2012.287

Oxidative degradation of chemical warfare agents in water by bleaching powder

Lihong Qi, Guomin Zuo, Zhenxing Cheng, Haiyan Zhu and Shanmao Li

Degradation of sulfur mustard (HD), S-2-(di-isopropylamino)ethyl O-ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX) and Soman (GD) in water by bleaching powder was investigated. The degradation products were comprehensively analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and ion chromatography. Degradation pathways were deduced based on the identified products. The product analysis results indicated that HD could be degraded through oxidation and chlorination reactions, and a small portion of sulfur atoms could be mineralized into SO₄²⁻ ion. Oxidative degradation of VX could finally generate O-ethyl methylphosphonate acid (EMPA), sulfonic acids, SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ ions. GD would be converted into non-toxic pinacolyl methylphosphonate via nucleophilic substitution.

Keywords: bleaching powder; CWAs; oxidative degradation; product analysis

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