Inactivation of sarin and soman by cyclodextrins in vitro.

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.