A catalyst includes a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of forming a catalyst, may include: reacting bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based compound with a terminal azide and/or a terminal alkyne in the presence of Cu(I) to form a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of using such catalysts may include neutralizing toxicity of at least one organophosphorus-based compound by reacting the organophosphorus-based compound with a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand-metal complex.

A catalyst includes a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of forming a catalyst, may include: reacting bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based compound with a terminal azide and/or a terminal alkyne in the presence of Cu(I) to form a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand. A method of using such catalysts may include neutralizing toxicity of at least one organophosphorus-based compound by reacting the organophosphorus-based compound with a bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based ligand-metal complex.

The invention relates to a method for producing an aqueous foam comprising the following steps: (a) preparing a solution comprising at least one surfactant and at least one protic polar solvent, (b) bringing the solution into contact with a pressurised gas, whereby a two-phase mixture is obtained, and (c) injecting the two-phase mixture, whereby, after expansion or dispersion of the gas, the aqueous foam is obtained. According to the invention, the solution further comprises at least one gelling compound chosen from a non-nitrogenous polysaccharide and gelatin. The invention also relates to the aqueous foam obtained by such a method and to the uses of same, in particular in the fields of decontamination, the purification of effluents, or the defusing or containment of explosive devices or suspected explosive devices.

A compact system for treating pharmaceutical waste at a location at which the pharmaceutical waste is disposed includes a housing having a door. The housing contains a waste influent tank configured to hold and discharge a fluid comprising pharmaceutical waste; a first container configured to hold and discharge hydrogen peroxide utilized in a chemical reaction to treat the pharmaceutical waste; a second container configured to hold and discharge aqueous iron solution utilized in the chemical reaction to treat the pharmaceutical waste; and a neutralizer tank in which the chemical reaction is carried out. The door of the housing is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to allow or deny access to an interior of the housing.

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 system and method are provided for deactivation and disposal of a pharmaceutical dosage form. The system and method employ an oxidant and an immobilizing agent placed in a container. The pharmaceutical dosage form is placed into the container, and water is added to the container. A rapid chemical deactivation of the active ingredient or ingredients in the pharmaceutical then occurs by a chemical oxidation process. Upon contact with the water, the immobilizing agent swells or expands in volume to form a gel or slurry, binding the other components in the container within the gel or slurry, where they remain after disposal. The system can be in the form of a kit, or can be scaled up for use by municipalities or institutions.

A system and method are provided for deactivation and disposal of a pharmaceutical dosage form. The system and method employ an oxidant and an immobilizing agent placed in a container. The pharmaceutical dosage form is placed into the container, and water is added to the container. A rapid chemical deactivation of the active ingredient or ingredients in the pharmaceutical then occurs by a chemical oxidation process. Upon contact with the water, the immobilizing agent swells or expands in volume to form a gel or slurry, binding the other components in the container within the gel or slurry, where they remain after disposal. The system can be in the form of a kit, or can be scaled up for use by municipalities or institutions.

There is described a process for treatment of a fluid comprising an oxidizable contaminant. The process comprises the step of contacting the wastewater with a combination of: (i) a sulfide, (ii) a complex of Fe(III) and a chelating agent, and (iii) an oxidant. It has been discovered that of treatment of a fluid containing an oxidizable contaminant employing iron(III)-chelates as the Fenton catalyst may be significantly improved by including a sulfide in the reaction scheme. As described herein, by employing sulfide ion, the present inventors have been able to: (i) increase the rate of iron recycling from minutes or hours to a few seconds, and (ii) destroy benzene in an oil and gas refinery (OGR) wastewater in less than one minute. It is believed that these findings in OGR wastewater can be extended to other fluids containing other oxidizable contaminants.

There is described a process for treatment of a fluid comprising an oxidizable contaminant. The process comprises the step of contacting the wastewater with a combination of: (i) a sulfide, (ii) a complex of Fe(III) and a chelating agent, and (iii) an oxidant. It has been discovered that of treatment of a fluid containing an oxidizable contaminant employing iron(III)-chelates as the Fenton catalyst may be significantly improved by including a sulfide in the reaction scheme. As described herein, by employing sulfide ion, the present inventors have been able to: (i) increase the rate of iron recycling from minutes or hours to a few seconds, and (ii) destroy benzene in an oil and gas refinery (OGR) wastewater in less than one minute. It is believed that these findings in OGR wastewater can be extended to other fluids containing other oxidizable contaminants.