Deactivation of mustard and nerve agent models via low-temperature microemulsions

New low-temperature oil-in-water (O/W) type microemulsions that resist free zing and phase separation at -18 degrees C have been developed. These syste ms were shown to simultaneously destroy, via oxidative and hydrolytic mecha nisms, simulants of three chemical warfare agents. Reactions, monitored at 25 degrees C by gradient elution high-performance liquid chromatography, to ok place instantly or over many minutes, depending upon the particular simu lant. Neglecting reaction products, the low-temperature microemulsions cont ained 11 components: propylene glycol, water, base, oxidant/nucleophile, su rfactant, cosurfactant, oil, stabilizer, two nerve agent simulants, and a m ustard simulant. Only by virtue of self-aggregation does this extraordinari ly complex chemical system adopt a useful molecular organization and, in th is limited sense, the microemulsion chemistry resembles what happens in a l iving cell. Substantial practical issues remain: rates for a recalcitrant V X simulant should be increased and overoxidation of the mustard simulant to a sulfone retarded. Nonetheless, the new system demonstrates once again th e potential of microemulsions in carrying out useful organic reactions at r ealistic substrate concentrations in aqueous solvents.