Identification of CS-derived compounds formed during heat-dispersion of CS riot control agent*†

Abstract

High temperatures are frequently used to disperse 2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) riot control agent. We examined airborne CS degradation products heat-dispersed together with CS from canisters of a type used by law enforcement personnel for crowd and riot control. Air contaminants derived from CS were trapped using a polytetraflouroethylene filter. Analysis was by open tubular gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Compounds observed in addition to CS included 2-chlorobenzaldehyde, 2-chlorobenzonitrile, quinoline, 2-chlorobenzylcyanide, 1,2-dicyanobenzene, 3-(2-chlorophenyl)propynenitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2-chlorocinnamonitrile, 2,2-dicyano-3-(2-chlorophenyl)oxirane, 2-chlorodihydrocinnamonitrile, benzylidenemalononitrile, cis and trans isomers of 2-cyanocinnamonitrile, 2-chlorobenzylmalononitrile, 3-quinoline carbonitrile, and 3-isoquinoline carbonitrile. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 13: 186–190, 2001