Development of metal ion promoted alcoholysis as a rapid methodology for the destruction of organophosphorus CW agents,their simulants and pesticides

Abstract

Metal-catalyzed alcoholysis has proven to be an effective strategy for the rapid decomposition of neutral organophosphate triesters, phosphonates, phosphorothioates and phosphorothionates, as well as several organophosphate chemical weapons of the G and V-agent classes. This article reviews the development of the chemical methodology starting from early studies with phosphate triesters up to the most recent studies dealing with the testing for decontamination of live chemical agents.