T. Rozsypal
Dec 1, 2020
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Influential Citations
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Journal
JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC
Abstract
Tris(2-chloroethyl)amine is a chemical warfare agent which is considered to be a persistent contaminant highly resistant to decontamination. The time dependence of tris(2-chloroethyl)amine degradation on the water pH value is observed to determine decontamination options using the decontamination of hydroxide-based mixtures which are used by a number of armed forces. The kinetics was observed using thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The time development of tris(2-chloroethyl)amine concentration decrease in the environment with the pH ranging from 7.5 to 12.5 was recorded. The reaction rate constants were established at all observed pH values, half-lifes of reactions and the influence of temperature on the reaction rate at a slightly alkaline pH of 8.5. The equation to estimate the rate constant of the first step of tris(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrolysis at various temperatures was formed. The rate of triethanolamine formation in the samples of neutral to alkaline pH was recorded. The results indicate the substantial influence of pH on tris(2-chloroethyl)amine hydrolysis. The rate constant was significantly increased from a neutral environment to the pH of 12.5 reaching 500% of the original value using alkalisation. The hydrolysis in a neutral environment was also influenced by the analyte concentration. The concentrated solutions hydrolysed more slowly as a result of hydrochloric acid release as the acid lowered the pH value of the environment. The results demonstrate that there is an important kinetic difference between sulphur and nitrogen mustard hydrolysis in an alkaline environment.