Analysis of decontamination methods for fourth-generation chemical warfare agents. Addressing the security threat of novichoks

A review, with 29 refs., of available methods for decontamination of the highly toxic fourth-generation chem. weapon called novichok, taking into account their unique chem. properties that make it difficult to neutralize effectively and rapidly by conventional means. It was shown that novichok is more susceptible to degrdn. in alk. environments and in the presence of specialized catalysts, such as MOF-808 Zr. Enzymatic detoxification methods can promote and accelerate the neutralization of these compds. The evaluation of the stability of novichok agents in environments of different pH and the mechanisms of their hydrolysis reactions were discussed.