UV/Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide Mediated Chlorophenol Congener Degradation in Basic Media

Sharma, Swati; Mukhopadhyay, Mausumi; Murthy, Zagabathuni Venkata Panchakshari

UV/Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide Mediated Chlorophenol Congener Degradation in Basic Media

2013

Sharma, Swati | Mukhopadhyay, Mausumi | Murthy, Zagabathuni Venkata Panchakshari

The ubiquitous presence of chlorophenols (CPs) continues to be a cause of concern, owing to their recalcitrant nature. In this context, the present work investigated the degradation of model compounds, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol, by an organic oxidant, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) coupled with ultraviolet irradiation in basic media. Chemical analysis was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Despite exhibiting varied patterns of decline, chemical oxygen demand was eventually noted to decrease to the extent of up to 70 %. Simultaneous increase/decrease in the release of chloride ions and decrease in pH indicated that parallel reactions were occurring, which led to the formation of acidic reaction products. First-order dynamics was approximated for all CP congener degradation. The degraded compounds showed absolutely no presence of chlorine atoms, which was a noteworthy feature testifying to the fact that MEKP action was capable of detoxification of CP congeners.

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