Degradation of halogenated benzenes in solution by electron beam irradiation method

Abstract

In this work, the dehalogenation and degradation of halogenated benzenes (chlorobenzenes, bromobenzene) under electron beam radiation were investigated. Several factors affected the degradation of halogenated benzenes by the electron beam radiation method, such as the dose of the electron beam, the initial pH value of the solutions and the kind of halogen. The rule of dehalogenation and degradation followed the order: bromobenzene > 1,2,4‐trichlorobenzene > p‐dichlorobenzene > chlorobenzene. The final products were found to be benzene and diphenyl. Dehalogenation of halogenated benzenes occurred in the presence of NaOH. Based on the results, a general reaction pathway for the degradation of halogenated benzenes is proposed.

Keywords:

• halogenated benzenes
• chlorobenzene
• bromobenzene
• electron beam
• degradation

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation Project (project 50578090) and the Shanghai Education Commission (07SG46,06GG11).