Abstract: A method is provided for detecting alkylating agents, the method comprising bringing together a first solvent, one or more surfactants, a base, a reagent comprising a nucleophilic nitrogen atom, and a suspected alkylating agent. A device suitable for putting said method into effect is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting sulphur-containing species (such as thiophosphorous esters, in particular phosphorylating agents), in which a suspected sulphur-containing species is brought into contact with a tetrazolium compound in the presence of base, typically at a pH of at least 8. A device, kit and tetrazolium compounds for use in such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detectors for detecting fluorine-containing compounds and/or cyanide containing compounds, including hydrogen fluoride (HF) or HCN gas, hydrofluoric acid in solution, selected chemical warfare agents, selected industrial chemicals which may be hydrolyzed to release HF or HCN gas, compounds containing a cyanide group, and compounds that can release HF or HCN. The detectors comprise i) an organometallic component containing at least one bis-substituted boryl group of the formula —B(RB)(RB?) wherein each RB and each RB? is independently selected from H, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, OR6, N(R6)(R7), SR6, C3-20 aryl or heteroaryl, and C3-20 cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl groups, each of which may be optionally substituted, ii) a Lewis base component, and iii) a solid matrix component.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting sulphur-containing species (such as thiophosphorous esters, in particular phosphorylating agents), in which a suspected sulphur-containing species is brought into contact with a tetrazolium compound in the presence of base, typically at a pH of at least 8. A device, kit and tetrazolium compounds for use in such a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting alkylating agents, the method comprising bringing together a first solvent, one or more surfactants, a base, a reagent comprising a nucleophilic nitrogen atom, and a suspected alkylating agent. A device suitable for putting said method into effect is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detectors for detecting fluorine-containing compounds and/or cyanide containing compounds, including hydrogen fluoride (HF) or HCN gas, hydrofluoric acid in solution, selected chemical warfare agents, selected industrial chemicals which may be hydrolysed to release HF or HCN gas, compounds containing a cyanide group, and compounds that can release HF or HCN. The detectors comprise i) an organometallic component containing at least one bis-substituted boryl group of the formula —B(RB)(RB+) wherein each RB and each RB? is independently selected from H, halogen, C1-6 alkyl, OR6, N(R6)(R7), SR6, C3-20 aryl or heteroaryl, and C3-20 cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl groups, each of which may be optionally substituted, ii) a Lewis base component, and iii) a solid matrix component.