Exclusive generation of a superoxide radical by a porous aromatic framework for fast photocatalytic decontamination of mustard gas simulant in room air.

Mustard gas and other chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are a global threat to public security, arising from unpredictable emergencies and chemical spill accidents. So far, photocatalysts such as metal clusters, polyoxometalates and porous solids have been exploited for oxidative degradation of mustard gas, commonly with O as reactive species. However, the production of O is oxygen-dependent and requires a high oxygen concentration to sustain the detoxication process.