Desire_1987_Experientia_43_395

Cyclodextrins catalyzed the inactivation of sarin and soman but did not inactivate tabun and VX. Furthermore, sarin and soman showed greater affinity for beta-cyclodextrin than for alpha- or gamma-cyclodextrins. Thus beta-cyclodextrin appears to be an attractive starting material for the preparation of a catalyst able to inactivate sarin and soman more effectively. Such a catalyst might contribute to improving the therapy of poisoning caused by these two nerve agents.