Versatile adsorbents were prepared by modifying whetlerite carbon for intended application against both non-persistent and persistent chemical warfare agents. Whetlerite carbon was modified by impregnating with basic inorganic compounds such as sodium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, cesium carbonate, etc. and oxidizing inorganic compounds such as ammonium heptamolybdate, ceric ammonium nitrate, etc. These carbons were explored for their reactivity against sulphur mustard and data was compared with that of impregnated carbons consisted of above basic and oxidizing compounds. On modified whetlerites and impregnated carbons comprised of basic compounds, sulphur mustard was transformed into hemisulphur mustard, thiodiglycol, vinyl-2-chloroethyl sulphide, divinyl sulphide, etc. On those comprised of oxidizing compounds sulphur mustard was converted into sulphur mustard sulphoxide. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.