Degradation of sarin, DEClP and DECNP over Cu-BTC metal organic framework

Cu-BTC, a microporous metal organic framework was synthesized by solvothermal method and characterized using surface area analyzer, scanning electron microscope, powder X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer and thermo gravimetric analyzer. Cu-BTC thus produced and characterized, was studied for the degradation of sarin, the nerve agent and its simulants such as diethylchlorophosphate (DEClP) and diethylcyanophosphonate (DECNP) using gas chromatography technique. From the reaction kinetics, it was observed that the reactions with DEClP and DECNP were faster than with sarin and the order of degradation of sarin and its surrogates was as follows: DECNP > DEClP > sarin.The rate of reaction for the simulants was found to be largely dependent upon the vapour pressure, molecular diameter and nature of leaving group of the toxicants whereas for sarin low polarizability of the P–F bond is found to be playing a major role for its slow degradation. Analysis of the reaction products indicates the degradation proceeds via hydrolysis.