Gas-chromatographic determination of O-isobutyl-S-2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX-like compound) and O-isopropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Sarin) traces in slag

Procedures for the determination of 04sobutyl- S-2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl methylphosphonothioate (VX-like compound) and sarin traces in slag at levels of 5 × 10-5 and 1 × 10-2 mg/kg, respectively, were developed. The procedures are based on the extraction of organophosphorus chemical warfare agents from slag, the preconcentration of the extract, and the conversion of the analytes into dialkyl methylphos-phonates with the use of optically active alcohols. In this case, a solution of AgNO3 in 4-methyl-2-pentanol or a sodium alcoholate solution was used for the derivatization of VX or sarin, respectively. The resulting dias-tereomers were determined by gas chromatography with the use of a flame-photometric detector. The analysis time was no longer than 1.2 or 1 h for the VX-like compound or sarin, respectively.