A system for breaking down a PFA (perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl) compound includes a reactor vessel, a heater, and a catalyst. The reactor vessel is operable to hold influent that includes a PFA compound, an alkali, and water, while alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from the PFA compound in the influent. The heater is operable to heat the influent to a temperature within the range of 100? Celsius to 700? Celsius. And the catalyst is operable to increase the rate at which alkaline hydrolysis separates a fluorine atom from a PFA compound. The catalyst includes a body that includes a transition metal, which is a d-block metal or a metal from any of the periodic table's groups 4-11. The body also has a shape configured to multiply a surface-area-to-volume ratio by at least 1.5 when the body is disposed in an influent experiencing alkaline hydrolysis.

A method of destructing a toxic chemical, comprising the steps of mixing said toxic chemical with a liquid phase formed by an aqueous mixture of water and an ionic liquid or molten salt which is miscible with water, said ionic liquid or molten salt comprising a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group; and contacting said toxic chemical in said liquid phase with said ionic liquid or molten salt so as to decompose said toxic chemical. The ionic liquid or molten salt comprises a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group. The dispersion or solution further contains at least one oxidizing agent and a donor of hydrogen bonds. Decontamination of contaminated surfaces and decomposition of toxic substances are achieved by using environmentally friendly, non-toxic solvents and reactants which yields reaction products which are substantially non-harmful or even non-toxic.

A method of destructing a toxic chemical, comprising the steps of mixing said toxic chemical with a liquid phase formed by an aqueous mixture of water and an ionic liquid or molten salt which is miscible with water, said ionic liquid or molten salt comprising a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group; and contacting said toxic chemical in said liquid phase with said ionic liquid or molten salt so as to decompose said toxic chemical. The ionic liquid or molten salt comprises a tertiary amine group or quaternary ammonium group. The dispersion or solution further contains at least one oxidizing agent and a donor of hydrogen bonds. Decontamination of contaminated surfaces and decomposition of toxic substances are achieved by using environmentally friendly, non-toxic solvents and reactants which yields reaction products which are substantially non-harmful or even non-toxic.

A method of implementing organic synthesis reactions uses a composition containing a metal catalyst originating from a calcined plant. The plants can be from the Brassicaceae, Sapotaceae and Convolvulaceae family, and the metal catalyst contains metal in the M(II) form such as zinc, nickel, manganese, lead, cadmium, calcium, magnesium or copper. Examples of the organic synthesis reactions include halogenations, electrophilic reactions, cycloadditions, transesterification reactions and coupling reactions, among others.

A method of implementing organic synthesis reactions uses a composition containing a metal catalyst originating from a calcined plant. The plants can be from the Brassicaceae, Sapotaceae and Convolvulaceae family, and the metal catalyst contains metal in the M(II) form such as zinc, nickel, manganese, lead, cadmium, calcium, magnesium or copper. Examples of the organic synthesis reactions include halogenations, electrophilic reactions, cycloadditions, transesterification reactions and coupling reactions, among others.

A two step process for the destruction of a precursor material using a steam plasma in a three zone reactor wherein the precursor material is hydrolyzed as a first step in the high temperature zone of the reactor, followed by a second step of medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream in the combustion zone of the reactor where combustion oxygen or air is injected and immediate quenching of the resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products. A related apparatus includes a non transferred direct current steam plasma torch, an externally cooled three zone steam plasma reactor means for introducing the precursor material into the plasma plume of the plasma torch, means for introducing the combustion air or oxygen into the combustion zone, means for exiting the reactant mixture from the reactor and means for quenching the reactant mixture located at the exit end of the reactor.

A two step process for the destruction of a precursor material using a steam plasma in a three zone reactor wherein the precursor material is hydrolyzed as a first step in the high temperature zone of the reactor, followed by a second step of medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream in the combustion zone of the reactor where combustion oxygen or air is injected and immediate quenching of the resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products. A related apparatus includes a non transferred direct current steam plasma torch, an externally cooled three zone steam plasma reactor means for introducing the precursor material into the plasma plume of the plasma torch, means for introducing the combustion air or oxygen into the combustion zone, means for exiting the reactant mixture from the reactor and means for quenching the reactant mixture located at the exit end of the reactor.

A method of using a metal organic framework (MOF) comprising a metal ion and an at least bidendate organic ligand to catalytically detoxify chemical warfare nerve agents including exposing the metal-organic-framework (MOF) to the chemical warfare nerve agent and catalytically decomposing the nerve agent with the MOF.

A method of using a metal organic framework (MOF) comprising a metal ion and an at least bidendate organic ligand to catalytically detoxify chemical warfare nerve agents including exposing the metal-organic-framework (MOF) to the chemical warfare nerve agent and catalytically decomposing the nerve agent with the MOF.

A method of using a metal organic framework (MOF) comprising a metal ion and an at least bidendate organic ligand to catalytically detoxify chemical warfare nerve agents including exposing the metal-organic-framework (MOF) to the chemical warfare nerve agent and catalytically decomposing the nerve agent with the MOF.