English

DTIC ADA436023: Methylphosphonofluoridic Acid a Thermal Degradation Production of Some Nerve Agents

The nerve agent sarin (isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate) thermally breaks down to form methylphosphonofluoridic acid and propylene. The thermal breakdown of soman (pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate) probably forms methylphosphonofluoridic acid as well. Continued high temperature treatment such as that of an incinerator would continue the breakdown process. In order to prove that no methylphosphonofluoridic acid is produced, an analytical standard is required. Methylphosphonofluoridic acid was produced by disproportionation of methylphosphonic difluoride with methylphosphonic acid. However, to obtain methylphosphonofluoridic acid in high purity, modifications to its preparation were required. First, a suitable laboratory preparation of methylphosphonic difluoride containing as little methylphosphonic dichloride or methylphosphonic chloride fluoride as possible was required. Several modifications to the reaction of methylphosphonic dichloride with sodium fluoride to yield methylphosphonic difluoride were pursued with good results. Ultimately, the reaction of methylphosphonic dichloride with sodium hexafluorosilicate proved to be the most convenient. Using the methylphosphonic di

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