Identification of degradation products of 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry under both electron impact and methane chemical ionization conditions has been used to detect impurities and degradation products present in the mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, with a detection limit of 0.05 area percent. After one and two years of storage at ambient temperatures, the primary degradation product was 1,4-dithiane formed from the degradation of dimeric sulfonium ions. Oxidation and hydrolysis products were not detected.