Hydrolysis of Chemical Warfare Agents Using an Organocatalyst

In this SBIR Phase I project we propose to develop small molecule organocatalysts to detoxify chemical warfare (CW) agents under ambient conditions. The organocatalyst could be incorporated into the topcoat of vehicles, where it would be already present and immediately go to work if the surface became contaminated. A self-decontaminating material can avoid use of a conventional decon solution, improving logistics and aiding in maintaining operational tempo. It could also be used in fabrics for tents or protective clothing, or to improve the performance of sorbents. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) has recently demonstrated materials that detoxify HD through catalytic aerobic oxidation at ambient temperature. We propose to extend that success by developing organocatalysts that hydrolyze the phosphonate nerve agents: VX and the G-agents. Organocatalysts have recently demonstrated practical activity in a number of applications. They are economical, environmentally benign, and their structure can be readily modified to improve activity. Our organocatalyst is comprised of three important elements to bind and orient the target agent, and then promote the desired selective cleavage of the P–S bond. With internal funding, TDA prepared some simple analogs of the organocatalyst structures we propose, and demonstrated a material that promotes P–S bond cleavage in the VX surrogate Malathion at ambient temperature.