A standardized method for assessment of oxidative transformations of brominated phenols in water.
The term persistence has been used to confusion since it is used as a conceptual parameter without a uniform definition. Work is therefore being done in order to unite ideas and describe persistence based on the chemical reactivity and chemico-physical properties of compounds via investigation of the main degradation pathways in the environment; photolysis, hydrolysis-substitution-elimination (hse), oxidation, reduction and radical reactions. The present work is focused on developing a method to determine oxidative degradation rates of chemicals and thereby measurement of their susceptibility to undergo oxidation reactions. The method based on potassium permanganate works well for water soluble compounds and is easy, robust, inexpensive and reproducible. By using the method and varying the analysed substances, the degradation rates for brominated phenols, two chlorinated phenols and high volume production compounds such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) and bisphenol A (BPA) have been determined at pH 7.6+/-0.2. The reaction rates of the two halogenated BPA's are particularly fast, giving half-lives in seconds. The other test compounds have slower reaction rates but easily measured under the reaction conditions applied. The reactions are temperature dependent. There is evidence that pK(a) and the substitution pattern of the halogens affects the rate of the reactions. The method is robust and applicable for reaction rate constant measurements of present and potential future environmental contaminants.
Bastos
Patricia Moreira
PM
Department of Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. patricia.bastos@mk.su.se
Eriksson
Johan
J
Green
Nicholas
N
Bergman
Ake
A
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D002733:Chlorophenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011196:Potassium Permanganate / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D002733:Chlorophenols; D010636:Phenols; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D011196:Potassium Permanganate; D014867:Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C041181:tetrachlorodian; C020806:tetrabromobisphenol A; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds