Sulfur mustard (HD) is a chemical warfare agent (CWA) that causes painful blisters to exposed skin, eyes, and lungs. Despite a ban on the production of CWAs, HD still poses a present danger to both soldiers and civilians. To combat the threat of CWAs, a series of tunable catalysts (solid as well as soluble forms) for O2 (ambient air)-based oxidation of HD have been developed. The catalytic component is comprised of copper nitrate, a hydrophobic salt of tribromide, and an acidic element (“Cu(NO3)xBrx/A” for simplicity). The catalyst is housed in the pores of a hypercrosslinked polymer (HCP). The (a) swellability (entrapment by gelation) of HD or its simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) by the HCP, as well as (b) the impact of Cu(NO3)xBrx/A incorporation into the HCP on air-based HD oxidation by the HCP- Cu(NO3)xBrx/A hybrid material have been evaluated. Acidic, nucleophilic, and fluorinated HCPs have been assessed with respect to (a) and (b) above. Mechanistic studies have elucidated the importance of tribromide as the active Brx species, and identified complex relationships involving water and acid. Furthermore, solid formulations of Cu(NO3)xBrx/A have proven effective against HD in the vapor phase.

Reactive materials for the oxidative removal of blistering agents

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.