Detection of thiodiglycol and its sulfoxide and sulfone analogues in environmental waters by high performance liquid chromatography. Final report, January-October 1991

2,2'-Thiodiethanol (thiodiglycol) (TDG), the major hydrolytic breakdown product of mustard gas (bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide), is oxidized gradually in water to its sulfoxide analogue 2,2'-sulfinyldiethanol (TDGO). In the presence of sunlight, further oxidation is then thought to occur with the formation of the sulfone analogue 2,2'-sulfonyldiethanol (TDGO2). A new high performance liquid chromatography method is described to directly separate and quantitate trace amounts of TDG, TDGO, and TDGO2 in surface water and seawater. Separations in this study were carried out on an ion-exclusion column using an isocratic mobile phase consisting of 100 mM perchloric acid. Detection and quantitation of TDG, TDGO, and TDGO2 were by ultraviolet (208 nM) and pulsed amperometric detection. Using a platinum working electrode, the sampling, cleaning, and regenerating potentials were 0.3, 1.25, and -0.10V, respectively. Detection limits for TDG, TDGO, and TDGO2 were in the 40-80 ng range.... Mustard gas, 2,2'-Sulfinyldiethanol, Thiodiglycol, Thiodiglycol sulfoxide 2,2'-Thiodiethanol, Thiodiglycol sulfone, 2,2'-Sulfonyldiethanol, Pulsed amperometric detection, High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC).