Catalytic Degradation of the Nerve Agent VX by Water-Swelled Polystyrene-Supported Ammonium Fluorides

The catalytic degradation of the nerve agent VX (O-ethyl S-2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate) by water-swelled polymer-supported ammonium fluorides is described. VX (0.06–0.53 mol/mol F^–) is rapidly degraded (t_1/2 ∼ 10–30 min) to form the “G-analogue” (O-ethyl methylphosphonofluoridate), which hydrolyzes (t_1/2 ∼ 1–1.5 h) to the nontoxic EMPA (ethyl methylphosphonic acid). The toxic desethyl-VX is not formed. The catalytic effect of fluoride is maintained even when 6 equiv of VX are loaded. GB (O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) and desethyl-VX agents are also degraded under these conditions.