Identification of CS-derived compounds formed during heat-dispersion of CSriot control agent

High temperatures are frequently used to disperse 2-chlorobenzylidene malon onitrile (CS) riot control agent. We examined airborne CS degradation produ cts heat-dispersed together with CS from canisters of a type used by law en forcement personnel for crowd and riot control. Air contaminants derived fr om CS were trapped using a polytetraflouroethylene filter. Analysis was by open tubular gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Compounds obs erved in addition to CS included 2-chlorobenzaldehyde, 2-chlorobenzonitrile , quinoline, 2-chlorobenzylcyanide, 1,2-dicyanobenzene, 3-(2-chlorophenyl)p ropynenitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2-chlorocinnamonitrile, 2,2-dicyano -3-(2-chlorophenyl)oxirane, 2-chlorodihydrocinnamonitrile, benzylidenemalon onitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2-cyanocinnamonitrile, 2-chlorobenzylmal ononitrile, 3-quinoline carbonitrile, and 3-isoquinoline carbonitrile. 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.(R)