Degradation of phosphate esters by high oxidation state molybdenum complexes
Degradation of phosphate esters, particularly neurotoxins and pesticides, is performed using high oxidative state molybdenum complexes, more particularly molybdenum(VI) complexes. A molybdenum(VI) complex is dissolved in water and then reacted with a phosphate ester. The phosphate esters can include, but are not limited to, VX, VE, VG, VM, GB, GD, GA, GF, parathion, paraoxon, triazophos, oxydemeton-methyl, chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl, representing both chemical warfare agents as well as pesticides and insecticides.
1. A method for degrading a phosphate ester comprising:
dissolving a molybdenum(VI) complex in water (pH 7-8); and
reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphate ester.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the molybdenum(VI) complex is selected from the group consisting of:
molybdenum(VI) oxide
bis(acetylacetonato)dioxomolybdenum(VI)
hexamolybdate
molybdate salt, wherein X is Na or K
heptamolybdate
or bis([dioxomolybdenum(VI)]) complexes of the form Mo 2 O 5 L 6 ,
where L is:
H 2 O
dimethylformamide
dimethylacetamide
dimethylsulfoxide
dibutyl sulfoxide
tributylphosphane oxide
triphenylphosphate oxide
or hexamethylphosphoramide
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the phosphate ester is selected from the group consisting of:
4. The method of claim 3 wherein R a -R c may be joined to form five-member and six-member rings which include P, and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halides, R, OR, OCOR, SR, NR2 and PR2 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, saturated and unsaturated C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl, C7-C20 arylalkyl radicals.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein R contains at least one heteroatom belonging to groups 13-17 of the Periodic Table.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphate ester is performed under aerobic conditions.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphate ester is performed under aqueous conditions.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphate ester is performed at around neutral pH.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphate ester is performed at ambient temperature.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said molybdenum(VI) complex retains activity after reacting with said phosphate ester.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the phosphate ester is selected from the group consisting of VX, VE, VG, VM, GB, GD, GA, GF, parathion, paraoxon, triazophos, oxydemeton-methyl, chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion and pirimiphos-methyl.
12. A method for degrading a phosphate ester comprising:
dissolving a molybdenum(VI) complex in water; and
reacting the molybdenum(VI) complex with a phosphonothioate with the formula
wherein the metallocene derivative is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum(VI) oxide
bis(acetylacetonato)dioxomolybdenum(VI)
hexamolybdate
molybdate salt, wherein X is Na or K
heptamolybdate
or bis([dioxomolybdenum(VI)]) complexes of the form Mo 2 O 5 L 6 , with the following structure:
where L is selected from the group consisting of:
H 2 O
dimethylformamide
dimethylacetamide
dimethylsulfoxide
dibutyl sulfoxide
tributylphosphane oxide
triphenylphosphate oxide
or hexamethylphosphoramide
13. The method of claim 12 wherein R a -R c may be joined to form five member and six-member rings which include P, and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halides, R, OR, OCOR, SR, NR2 and PR2 wherein R is selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, saturated and unsaturated C1-C20 alkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C6-C20 aryl, C7-C20 alkylaryl, C7-C20 arylalkyl radicals.
14. The method of claim 12 wherein the phosphate ester is selected from the group consisting of YX, YE, VG, VM, GB, GD, GA and GF.