The Use of Methyltricaprylylammonium Chloride as a Phase Transfer Catalyst for the Destruction of Methyl Bromide in Air Streams

Roman Bielski* and Peter J. Joyce*
Value Recovery, Inc., 510 Heron Drive, Suite 301, Bridgeport, New Jersey 08014, U.S.A.
Org. Process Res. Dev., 2008, 12 (4), pp 781–784
DOI: 10.1021/op800016j
Publication Date (Web): May 15, 2008
Copyright © 2008 American Chemical Society
* Authors to whom correspondence may be sent. E-mail: bielski@ptcvalue.com; joyce@ptcvalue.com
This article is part of the Phase Transfer Catalysis special issue.

Abstract

Abstract Image

Methyl bromide has been used for decades as a pesticide, primarily as an insecticide. It has also been recently advocated as an excellent agent for the destruction of anthrax spores via fumigation. Related to this use is the need to efficiently destroy methyl bromide safely, once fumigation is complete. This paper describes the selection of a nucleophile for instantaneous decomposition of methyl bromide to destroy methyl bromide in a fumigation vent air stream from an office trailer. Our preliminary data showed that sulfide anion dissolved in water is an exceptionally effective nucleophile for the purpose of CH3Br decomposition. We show data proving the effectiveness of the sodium sulfide aqueous solution accompanied by methyltricaprylylammonium chloride as a phase transfer catalyst for scrubbing methyl bromide present in air.

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History

  • Published In Issue July 18, 2008
  • Article ASAPMay 15, 2008
  • Received: January 28, 2008

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