Molybdate/peroxide oxidation of mustard in microemulsions

Environmentally friendly and noncorrosive methods to decontaminate the blis ter agent mustard (HD) bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide are currently being devel oped. HD may be rendered nonvesicant by oxidation to the corresponding sulf oxide, In microemulsions, the mildly basic molybdate/peroxide oxidant syste m rapidly oxidizes HD initially to the sulfoxide. Secondary oxidation to th e sulfone does occur, but this reaction is about 2 orders of magnitude slow er. A microemulsion found to be stable at low temperature was identified, e nabling the decontamination of HD at -30 degreesC. The mild basicity of suc h solutions also affords the peroxyhydrolysis (OOH-) of nerve agents GD and VX.