Degradation of Sulfur Mustard on KF/Al₂O₃ Supports: Insights into the Products and the Reactions Mechanisms

The degradation of the warfare agent sulfur mustard (HD) adsorbed onto KF/Al₂O₃ sorbents is described. These processes were explored by MAS NMR, using ¹³C-labeled sulfur mustard (HD*) and LC-MS techniques. Our study on the detoxification of this blister agent showed the formation of nontoxic substitution and less-toxic elimination products (t_1/2 = 3.5−355 h). Interestingly, the reaction rates were found to be affected by MAS conditions, i.e., by a centrifugation effect. The products and the mechanisms of these processes are discussed.