Development of new catalytic materials for the facile hydrolysis of organophosphorous triesters

INOR 844

Kortney L. Klinkel, kortney.klinkel@colorado.edu1, Lauren A. Kiemele, lauren.kiemele@colorado.edu1, Douglas L. Gin, gin@spot.colorado.edu2, and John R. Hagadorn, hagadorn@colorado.edu1. (1) Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, UCB 215, Boulder, CO 80309, (2) Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, and Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Colorado, UCB 424, Boulder, CO 80309
The use of metal-containing catalysts for the hydrolysis of organophosphorous esters is important in the context of nerve agent and insecticide degradation. Current methods use either large amounts of caustic solutions which are little better than the nerve agents themselves, or rely on simple absorption which can take an extended period of time. Thus, catalytic methods that can function rapidly and under mild conditions are desired. A range of nitrogen-containing bidentate ligands as well as heterobimetallic ligands have been synthesized. These ligands complexed with Cu(II), Zn(II) and other Lewis acidic metal centers have been tested for catalytic activity for the degradation of the nerve agent stimulant, para-nitrophenol diphenylphosphate (PNPDPP). These catalysts show excellent catalytic activity in solution under mild conditions. The use of these homogeneous catalysts and recent attempts to create more efficient heterogeneous catalysts by attaching these ligands to nanostructured polymer supports, will be described.

 

Inorganic Catalysts
1:30 PM-5:30 PM, Wednesday, 16 March 2005 Convention Center -- Room 6F, Oral

Division of Inorganic Chemistry

The 229th ACS National Meeting, in San Diego, CA, March 13-17, 2005