SGER: Activated Hydrogen Peroxide Detoxification of Chemical-Biological Warfare Agents

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

The objective of this research by Professor Terrence J. Collins at Carnegie-Mellon University, which is supported by the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Oganometallic Chemistry Program, is to develop tetraamidomacrocyclic iron(III) complexes (TAML activators) in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide to destroy chemical and biological warfare agents on contaminated surfaces. These agents include organophosphorous ester nerve gases such as, such as Sarin and VX, mustard (alkylating) compounds and biological agents including bacteria, virus, and toxins. This Small Grant for Exploratory Research supports the development of a widely-applicable decontaminating process to eliminate various chemical and biological warfare agents including viruses and bacteria, such as anthrax, that have been or may be used in terrorism.