Jônatas Torres da Silva, Thomaz Pereira Lima
Riot Control Agents (RCAs) represent the backbone of less-than-lethal technologies utilized by public safety agencies worldwide. Traditionally, Oleoresin Capsicum (OC, primarily active via capsaicin) and ortho-chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS) are deployed in independent single-agent formulations. However, the emergence of hybrid OC/CS formulations aims to combine immediate neurosensorial incapacitation via physical pain (TRPV1 receptor activation by OC) with severe lacrimatory and ocular irritation (enzymatic alkylation and TRPA1 activation by CS). This study presents a detailed physicochemical analysis of the complex mixture involving capsaicin and the CS molecule in an organic solvent medium (isopropanol/propylene glycol). Through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and molecular docking simulations, we evaluated the chemical stability, the presence of nucleophilic addition reactions, and the vaporization profile of the blend. Results demonstrated that OC and CS form a stable eutectic-like mixture dominated by hydrogen bonding and aromatic \pi-\pi stacking interactions, without the formation of irreversible covalent adducts at ambient temperature (25\text{ }^\circ\text{C}). The thermal stability of the mixture remained intact up to 140\text{ }^\circ\text{C}, ensuring the preservation of pharmacological efficacy and mechanical suitability in aerosol dispensers and impact munitions.