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Gas capture and sequestration are valuable properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) driving tremendous interest in their use as filtration materials for chemical warfare agents. Recently, the Zr-based MOF UiO-67 was shown to effectively adsorb and decompose the nerve-agent simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). Understanding mechanisms of MOF-agent interaction is challenging due to the need to distinguish between the roles of the MOF framework and its particular sites for the activation and sequestration process. Here, we demonstrate the quantitative tracking of both framework and binding component structures using in situ X-ray total scattering measurements of UiO-67 under DMMP exposure, pair distribution function analysis, and theoretical calculations. The sorption and desorption of DMMP within the pores, association with linker-deficient Zr6 cores, and decomposition to irreversibly bound methyl methylphosphonate were directly observed and analyzed with atomic resolution. Metal-organic frameworks have been shown to adsorb and decompose chemical warfare agents, but their mechanism of action is not completely understood. Here the authors quantitatively track the binding and decomposition product structures of nerve-agent simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate in host UiO-67 through in situ X-ray total scattering measurements, pair distribution function analysis, and density functional theory calculations.

Ambient pressure in situ synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques have been correlated to illuminate atomic-level details of bond breaking and formation during the hydrolysis of a chemical warfare nerve agent simulant over a polyoxometalate catalyst. Specifically, a Cs-8[Nb6O19] polyoxoniobate catalyst has been shown to react readily with dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The atomic-level transformations of all reactant moieties, the [Nb6O19](8)-polyanion, its Cs+ counterions, and the DMMP substrate, were tracked under ambient conditions by a combination of X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Results reveal that the reaction mechanism follows general base (in contrast to specific base) hydrolysis. Together with computational results, the work demonstrates that the ultimate fate of DMMP hydrolysis at the Cs-8[Nb6O19] catalyst is strong binding of the (methyl) methylphosphonic acid ((M) MPA) product to the polyanions, which ultimately inhibits catalytic turnover.

Ambient pressure in situ synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques have been correlated to illuminate atomic-level details of bond breaking and formation during the hydrolysis of a chemical warfare nerve agent simulant over a polyoxometalate catalyst. Specifically, a Cs-8[Nb6O19] polyoxoniobate catalyst has been shown to react readily with dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The atomic-level transformations of all reactant moieties, the [Nb6O19](8)-polyanion, its Cs+ counterions, and the DMMP substrate, were tracked under ambient conditions by a combination of X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Results reveal that the reaction mechanism follows general base (in contrast to specific base) hydrolysis. Together with computational results, the work demonstrates that the ultimate fate of DMMP hydrolysis at the Cs-8[Nb6O19] catalyst is strong binding of the (methyl) methylphosphonic acid ((M) MPA) product to the polyanions, which ultimately inhibits catalytic turnover.

A fundamental understanding of the surface chemistry of chemical warfare agents is needed to fully predict the interaction of these toxic molecules with militarily relevant materials, catalysts, and environmental surfaces. For example, rules for predicting the surface chemistry of agents can be applied to the creation of next generation decontaminants, reactive coatings, and protective materials for the warfighter. Here, we describe a multifunctional ultra-high vacuum instrument for conducting comprehensive studies of the adsorption, desorption, and surface chemistry of chemical warfare agents on model and militarily relevant surfaces. The system applies reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry to study adsorption and surface reactions of chemical warfare agents. Several novel components have been developed to address the unique safety and sample exposure challenges that accompany the research of these toxic, often very low vapor pressure, compounds. While results of vacuum-based surface science techniques may not necessarily translate directly to environmental processes, learning about the fundamental chemistry will begin to inform scientists about the critical aspects that impact real-world applications., Published in the Journal of Review of Scientific Instruments, v85 n1 p1-9, 2014. The original document contains color images.

A fundamental understanding of the surface chemistry of chemical warfare agents is needed to fully predict the interaction of these toxic molecules with militarily relevant materials, catalysts, and environmental surfaces. For example, rules for predicting the surface chemistry of agents can be applied to the creation of next generation decontaminants, reactive coatings, and protective materials for the warfighter. Here, we describe a multifunctional ultra-high vacuum instrument for conducting comprehensive studies of the adsorption, desorption, and surface chemistry of chemical warfare agents on model and militarily relevant surfaces. The system applies reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry to study adsorption and surface reactions of chemical warfare agents. Several novel components have been developed to address the unique safety and sample exposure challenges that accompany the research of these toxic, often very low vapor pressure, compounds. While results of vacuum-based surface science techniques may not necessarily translate directly to environmental processes, learning about the fundamental chemistry will begin to inform scientists about the critical aspects that impact real-world applications., Published in the Review of Scientific Instruments, v85 n1 p014101-1/014101-9, 2014.

Sarin and soman are warfare nerve agents that represent some of the most toxic compounds ever synthesized. The extreme risk in handling such molecules has, until now, precluded detailed research into the surface chemistry of agents. We have developed a surface science approach to explore the fundamental nature of hydrogen bonding forces between these agents and a hydroxylated surface. Infrared spectroscopy revealed that both agents adsorb to amorphous silica through the formation of surprisingly strong hydrogen-bonding interactions with primarily isolated silanol groups (SiOH). Comparisons with previous theoretical results reveal that this bonding occurs almost exclusively through the phosphoryl oxygen (P=0) of the agent. Temperature-programmed desorption experiments determined that the activation energy for hydrogen bond rupture and desorption of sarin and soman was 50 +/- 2 and 52 +/- 2 kJ/mol, respectively. Together with results from previous studies involving other phosphoryl-containing molecules, we have constructed a detailed understanding of the structure-function relationship for nerve agent hydrogen bonding at the gas-surface interface., The original document contains color images. Prepared in collaboration with EXCET, Inc., Springfield, VA, and the Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg. Published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, v 5 p1393-1399, 17 Mar 2014. Sponsored in part by DTRA BB11PHM156.

The fundamental interactions of a series of chemical warfare agent (CWA) simulants on amorphous silica particulates have been investigated with transmission infrared spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The simulants methyl dichlorophosphate (MDCP), dimethyl cholorophosphate (DMCP), trimethyl phosphate (TMP), dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), and diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) were chosen to help develop a comprehensive understanding for how the structure and functionality of CWA surrogate compounds affect uptake and hydrogen-bond strengths at the gas surface interface. Each simulant was found to adsorb molecularly to silica through the formation of strong hydrogen bonds primarily between isolated surface silanol groups and the oxygen atom of the P O moiety in the adsorbate. The TPD data revealed that the activation energy for desorption of a single simulant molecule from amorphous silica varied slightly with coverage. In the limit of zero coverage and the absence of significant surface defects, the activation energies for desorption were found to follow the trend MDCP DMCP TMP DMMP DIMP. This trend demonstrates the critical role of electron-withdrawing substituents in determining the adsorption energies through hydrogen-bonding interactions. The infrared spectra for each adsorbed species, recorded during uptake, showed a significant shift in the frequency of the v(SiO-H) mode as the hydrogen bonds formed. A clear linear relationship between the desorption energy and the shift of the surface v(SiO-H) mode across this series of adsorbates demonstrates that the Badger Bauer relationship, established originally for solute solvent interactions, effectively extends to gas surface interactions., The original document contains color images. Prepared in cooperation with the Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg and Optimetrics, Inc./DCS Corp, Abingdon, MD. Sponsored in part by DTRA. Published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry C, v117 p15685 15697, 24 Jun 2013.