Photoinitiated Degradation of 4-Chlorophenoxyacetic Acid by Hydrogen Peroxide; Photocatalytic Effects of Fe(III) Compounds

Abstract

Photolysis of 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) and the effect of Fe(III) compounds on photochemical oxidative degradation of 4-CPA by hydrogen peroxide were studied. Whereas degradation initiated by 254 nm radiation is affected only moderately by the presence of Fe(III) compounds the reaction initiated by VIS radiation (high-pressure sodium lamp) is photocatalyzed and photosensitized by Fe(III) compounds very markedly. 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP) and phenol were detected as the main degradation intermediates. Formation of phenol prevails in the absence of oxidation agent, 4-CP is the main product in the presence of hydrogen peroxide.