Detection and Quantification of Chemical Warfare Agent Precursors and Surrogates by Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry

The rate coefficients and branching ratios of 15 chemical warfare agent precursor and surrogate compounds reacting with H3O+, NO+, and O-2(+) have been measured in the laboratory using the selected ion flow tube (SIFT) technique. Measurement of the relevant kinetic parameters for these agents has enabled quantitative monitoring using the SIFT-MS analytical technique. Thirteen of the 15 compounds studied were found to have real-time detection limits in the parts-per-trillion-by-volume concentration range when measured on a standard commercial Voice 100 instrument, with specific compounds having detection limits below 100 parts-per-trillion-by-volume.