TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2000//
TI  - Multiple-technique analytical characterization of a mixture containing chemical-weapons simulant from a munition
JO  - Journal of chromatography: A
A1  - Brickhouse, M. D.
A1  - Creasy, W. R.
A1  - Williams, B. R.
A1  - Morrissey, K. M.
A1  - O'Connor, R. J.
A1  - Durst, H. D.
SP  - 185
EP  - 198
VL  - 883
IS  - 1-2
N2  - An amber yellow organic liquid was found in a munition shell at Dugway Proving Grounds, UT, USA, that was likely used as a simulant of chemical weapons. The primary analytical techniques to characterize the mixture were gas chromatography-infrared detection-mass spectral detection (GC-IR-MS); liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS); nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using the nuclei 1H, 13C and 31P; and gas chromatography-atomic emission detection (GC-AED). Six major phosphorus-containing components were identified and confirmed by at least three techniques, and several additional phosphorus-containing components of lower concentration have been identified by GC-IR-MS and LC-MS. Five major non-phosphorus components, including ethyl acetate, diethyl sulfide and dibutylamine, have been identified by multiple techniques. The major phosphorus compound (23.9+/-0.4 wt.%) was O,O,O-triethyl phosphorothioate (I) and the second most abundant (14.4+/-0.2 wt.%) was O,O,S-triethyl phosphorothioate (III). No VX, G-agent, or pesticide was observed in the sample, although III may be a cholinesterase inhibitor which produces delayed toxic response. III also produces a false hit for the pesticide cyanthoate when analyzed by GC-MS-EI. The mixture appears to have been formulated as a chemical warfare agent simulant, most likely as a challenge of agent detection techniques.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0021-9673
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -