Thermal decomposition of chloropicrin, diphosgene and phosgene between 100 and 530 degrees C

The gas-phase pyrolysis of chloropicrin, diphosgene and phosgene has been investigated in a static reactor at temperatures between 100 and 530 degrees C, at an initial pressure of 25 torr and for reaction times ranging from 10 to 120 min. Phosgene is the main carbon containing reaction product of the pyrolyses of chloropicrin and diphosgene and its decomposition leads to the formation of carbon monoxide and chlorine. A kinetic scheme for the decomposition of phosgene has been proposed and has permitted satisfactory modelling of the experimental results obtained. The study clearly shows the possible industrial use of this process to destroy chemical weapons and a first range of temperatures and reaction times has been selected for future reactor design. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.