Abstract: A process and a system applying sonic particle scavenging to threat aerosols, particularly threat aerosols of chemical and biological origin, in both confined and unconfined, open air situations. The effectiveness of sonic particle scavenging is improved by adding a secondary aerosol that neutralizes chemical and biological aerosol particles upon impact therewith. The neutralizing aerosol also serves to increase the total amount of aerosol interactions. Preferably, the neutralizing aerosol is dispersed into the region containing the threat aerosols, followed by activating a high-power acoustic source to generate high-power sound waves, which drives particles of the threat aerosol into each other as well as neutralizing aerosol particles. Thereby, the majority of threat aerosol particles are neutralized and/or the threat aerosol particle size is increased. Threat particle of increased size often precipitate (rain-out).

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods that can be used to convert the intermmediate halomethyl ketones (HMKs), e.g., chloromethyl ketones, to the corresponding S,S- and R,S-diastereomers. More particularly, the present invention provides: (1) reduction methods; (2) inversion methods; and (3) methods involving the epoxidation of alkenes. Using the various methods of the present invention, the R,S-epoxide and the intermediary compounds can be prepared reliably, in high yields and in high purity.