Abstract
The analysis of nerve agents is the focus of chemical warfare agent determination because of their extreme toxicity. A classical chemical colorimetric method, namely, the Schoenemann reaction, has been developed to detect G agents; however, it has not been utilized for VX analysis mainly because of its low peroxyhydrolysis rate. In this study, based on the mechanism of the Schoenemann reaction, a novel rapid quantitative determination method for VX was developed by optimizing the reaction conditions, such as concentrations of peroxide and the indicator, temperature, and reaction time. Using 2 ml 0.5 wt% sodium perborate as the peroxide source, 1 ml 0.1 wt% benzidine hydrochloride as the indicator, and 1 ml acetone as the co-solvent, VX and GD in ethanol or water solutions could be quantitatively analyzed within 15 min at 60°C. Further experiments based on 31P NMR spectroscopy confirmed the existence of a peroxyphosphate intermediate during the GD assay. This quantitative colorimetry system for VX and GD analysis can be developed as a portable device for the water samples in fieldwork applications.
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Wu, S., Wang, L., Zhu, H. et al. Optimizing the Schoenemann Reaction for Colorimetric Assays of VX and GD. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 110, 53 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03693-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03693-w