Identification of an octyl methylphosphonofluoridate mixture in chemical industry samples

As part of an international round robin verification exercise, samples were analysed from a simulated inspection, which may take place under a future Chemical Weapons Convention, of a facility producing the organophosphorus insecticide 2,2-dichloroethenyl dimethyl phosphate (Dichlorvos). The identification of an unknown potential chemical warfare agent, an octyl methylphosphonofluoridate mixture, by the combination of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (both electron impact and chemical ionization) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (19F and 31P) is described in detail. This compound mixture was added in relatively small quantities to some of the complicated chemical industry samples.