Tris-2,2′-bipyridylruthenium(II) peroxydisulphate as a photosensitizer in the oxidative degradation of 4-chlorophenol

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/bbpc.19961000209

The photolysis of aerated aqueous solutions of 4-chlorophenol in the presence of Ru(bpy)^2+/3 and peroxydisulphate has been followed by UV/visible absorption specrroscopy, and reveals a relatively rapid oxidative decomposition of the phenol. Confirmation of the formation of benzcquinone and dihydroxybenzene as the principal products comes from product separation and spectroscopic characterization, HPLC, and TLC. 4-Chlorocatechol is also produced, while the main inorganic products are shown to be chloride and sulphate ions. Ru(bpy)^2+/3 is regenerated in the reaction scheme, making this an overall catalytic process. Prolonged irradiation leads to further degradation into CO₂ and HCl. From the study of the kinetics of the reactions and considerations of literature data, a mechanistic scheme is presented. VCH Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, 1996.