Multiple-technique analytical characterization of a mixture containing chemical-weapons simulant from a munition.
An amber yellow organic liquid was found in a munition shell at Dugway Proving Grounds, UT, USA, that was likely used as a simulant of chemical weapons. The primary analytical techniques to characterize the mixture were gas chromatography-infrared detection-mass spectral detection (GC-IR-MS); liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using the nuclei 1H, 13C and 31P; and gas chromatography-atomic emission detection (GC-AED). Six major phosphorus-containing components were identified and confirmed by at least three techniques, and several additional phosphorus-containing components of lower concentration have been identified by GC-IR-MS and LC-MS. Five major non-phosphorus components, including ethyl acetate, diethyl sulfide and dibutylamine, have been identified by multiple techniques. The major phosphorus compound (23.9+/-0.4 wt.%) was O,O,O-triethyl phosphorothioate (I) and the second most abundant (14.4+/-0.2 wt.%) was O,O,S-triethyl phosphorothioate (III). No VX, G-agent, or pesticide was observed in the sample, although III may be a cholinesterase inhibitor which produces delayed toxic response. III also produces a false hit for the pesticide cyanthoate when analyzed by GC-MS-EI. The mixture appears to have been formulated as a chemical warfare agent simulant, most likely as a challenge of agent detection techniques.
Brickhouse
M D
MD
EAI Corporation, Abingdon, MD 21009, USA.
Creasy
W R
WR
Williams
B R
BR
Morrissey
K M
KM
O'Connor
R J
RJ
Durst
H D
HD
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods*
D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents