Efficient and selective oxidation of sulfur mustard using singlet oxygen generated by a pyrene-based metal–organic framework†
Yangyang Liu,Cassandra T. Buru,Ashlee J. Howarth,John J. Mahle,James H. Buchanan,Jared B. DeCoste,Joseph T. Hupp
Journal of Materials Chemistry A Pub Date : 08/23/2016 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/C6TA05903A
Abstract

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.

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