Method and Formulation for Neutralizing Toxic Chemicals and Materials

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a formulation and associated method for neutralizing one or more toxic chemical and/or materials including toxic industrial chemicals and toxic industrial materials, such as irritants, heavy metals, radioactive metals, acids and acid irritants, pesticides, and various agricultural chemicals, (collectively referred to as toxic chemical, materials, or simply toxins) as well as decontaminating surfaces that have come into contact with these agents. As a result, the formulation of the present invention can be used for neutralizing a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals and materials. In one embodiment, the active ingredient comprises 2, 3, butanedione monoxime (also known as diacetyl monoxime (DAM)), and alkali salts thereof such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime (KBDO). The formulation also typically includes a carrier in which the active ingredient is dispersed. In one embodiment, the carrier comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG); monomethoxypolyethylene glycol(mPEG); and combinations and derivatives thereof.

1 . A method for neutralizing a broad spectrum of toxic industrial chemicals and materials, the method comprising the steps of:
 applying a composition having an active ingredient to a toxic industrial chemical or material to thereby neutralize said toxic industrial chemical or and material, wherein the active ingredient comprises one or more of 2,3, butanedione monoxime, an alkali or alkaline salt thereof, or a derivative thereof.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the toxic industrial material is an acid or an agent including a moiety that is susceptible to nucleophilic attack by a nucleophilic carbonyl atom or a nucleophilic oxime nitrogen atom or an oxygen atom. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is selected from the group consisting of 1,1′-bi(ethylene oxide), acrylonitriles, allyl alcohols, allyl chlorides, methyl mercaptan, and phosgene. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the toxic chemical or material is an acid. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ), hydrochloric acid (HCl), hydrofluoric acid (HF), perchloric acid (HClO4), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), nitric acid (HNO 3 ), nitrous acid (HNO 2 ), acetic acid, arsine (AsH 3 ), hydrogen selenide, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), acid byproducts of nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), phosphoric acids, acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride, mixed anhydries, fluoroacetic aceid, and chloroacetic acid. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in a carrier that is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, monomethoxypolyethylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol ether. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the toxic industrial chemical or material is selected from the group consisting of hydrazine, chlorine, and ammonia. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition containing the active ingredient is applied in an amount ranging from about 1:1 to 20:1 based on the amount of toxic industrial chemical or material. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of 2,3 pentandione monoxime, 3,4 pentandione monoxime, 3,4 hexanone monoxime, 2,3 hexananone monoxime and 4,5 hexanone monoxime (alternate names may include 2,3-pentanedione 3-oxime (CAS 609-29-0) 2 oximo pentane-3-one, 3, oximo pentane-4-one, 2,3-Pentanedione, 3-oxime, 2,4-Pentanedione oxime, Pentane-2,3-dione 2-oxime, 2,3,4-Pentanetrione, 3-oxime, 2,4-Pentanedione, dioxime, 2,4-Pentanedione, 2,4-dioxime, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of neutralizing said toxic industrial chemical or and material comprise sequestering said toxic industrial chemical or and material 
   
   
       11 . A method for neutralizing metal atoms, the method comprising the steps of:
 reacting a composition having an active ingredient having at least one nucleophilic carbonyl moeity and at least one nucleophilic oxime nitrogen moiety with a metal; and   chelating the metal to form a ring structure in which the at least one nucleophilic carbonyl moiety and at least one nucleophilic oxime nitrogen moiety are bonded to the metal.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the active ingredient comprises 2,3, butanedione monoxime or an alkali or alkaline salt thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the active ingredient comprises potassium 2,3, butanedione monoxime. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of heavy metals, lead, transition metals, radioactive metals, Pu, Th, U, Zr, Nb, Ru, actinides, lanthanides, rare earth metals, and combination thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the ring has 5 to 7 sides. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of 2,3 pentandione monoxime, 3,4 pentandione monoxime, 3,4 hexanone monoxime, 2,3 hexananone monoxime and 4,5 hexanone monoxime (alternate names may include 2,3-pentanedione 3-oxime (CAS 609-29-0) 2 oximo pentane-3-one, 3, oximo pentane-4-one, 2,3-Pentanedione, 3-oxime, 2,4-Pentanedione oxime, Pentane-2,3-dione 2-oxime, 2,3,4-Pentanetrione, 3-oxime, 2,4-Pentanedione, dioxime, and 2,4-Pentanedione, 2,4-dioxime, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition containing the active ingredient is applied in an amount ranging from about 1:1 to 20:1 based on the amount of metal. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the active ingredient comprises 2,3, butanedione monoxime, and further comprising the steps of:
 reacting the metal with a first and second molecule of 2,3, butanedione monoxime to form a chelated metal having a square planar complex.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the composition is applied to the skin of a person in need thereof. 
   
   
       20 . A method of neutralizing a broad spectrum of pesticides, the method comprising: reacting a composition having an active ingredient with a pesticide to thereby neutralize said pesticide, wherein the active ingredient comprises 2,3, butanedione monoxime or an alkali salt thereof, and wherein the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of organophosphates, carbamates, organochlorine, and pyrethroids. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pesticide includes a carbamate selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde O-methylcarbamoyloxime, 2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate, 3-hydroxycarbofuran; ethyl N-[2-(4-phenoxyphenoxy)ethyl]carbamate, 1-naphthyl methylcarbamate, ethienocarb, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, aldicarb sulfone, aldicarb sulfoxide, butylate, S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate, methiocarb, methomyl, molinate, oxamyl, pebulate, propham, propoxur, thiobencarb, triallate, and 2-(1-methylpropyl)phenyl N-methylcarbamate. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is applied to the skin of a person in need thereof. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is a cream, a gel, or a lotion. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in a carrier and wherein the method further comprises reacting the carrier with the pesticide to thereby sequester the pesticide.