Efficient and selective oxidation of sulfur mustard using singlet oxygen generated by a pyrene-based metal–organic framework

Y Liu, CT Buru, AJ Howarth, JJ Mahle… - Journal of Materials …, 2016 - pubs.rsc.org
Y Liu, CT Buru, AJ Howarth, JJ Mahle, JH Buchanan, JB DeCoste, JT Hupp, OK Farha
Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2016pubs.rsc.org
A pyrene-based metal–organic framework (MOF) NU-1000 was used as a heterogeneous
photocatalyst for the degradation of a sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide
(CEES). Using irradiation from a commercially available and inexpensive ultraviolet (UV)
light-emitting diode (LED), singlet oxygen (1O2) is generated by NU-1000 and selectively
oxidizes CEES to the nontoxic product 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfoxide (CEESO). More
importantly, this method was tested on the warfare agent sulfur mustard (HD) for the first time …
A pyrene-based metal–organic framework (MOF) NU-1000 was used as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the degradation of a sulfur mustard simulant, 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES). Using irradiation from a commercially available and inexpensive ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED), singlet oxygen (1O2) is generated by NU-1000 and selectively oxidizes CEES to the nontoxic product 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfoxide (CEESO). More importantly, this method was tested on the warfare agent sulfur mustard (HD) for the first time using 1O2 and a MOF catalyst, and this method proved to be effective in oxidizing sulfur mustard to nontoxic products without forming the toxic sulfone by-product.
The Royal Society of Chemistry