Analysis of chemical warfare agents

The reactivity of phosgene and perfluoroisobutylene (PFIB) towards 1,2-bis-nucleophiles was exploited to allow determination of these gases in air samples. 2-Aminothiophenol (ATP), 3,4-dimercaptotoluene (DMT) and 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (HMP) were evaluated as bis-nucleophiles capable of forming thermally-stable derivatives with phosgene and PFIB when loaded with triethylamine onto Tenax TA. Experimental design was used to optimise thermal desorption conditions. Detection limits in the low ng m−3 range were observed for the five derivatives investigated. This work represents the most sensitive analytical method for trace level quantitation of phosgene and PFIB published to date.