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Abstract
The photochemical degradation in aqueous solution of 2-methyl-,3-methyl- and 2,3-dimethylbenzo[b]thiophene was studied in order to elucidate the fate of crude oil components after an oil spill in the oceans. The principal reaction pathway involves oxidation of the methyl group(s) to the carboxylic acids via the aldehydes. Opening of the thiophene ring, loss of carbon and oxidation of the sulfur atom then lead to 2-sulfobenzoic acid as the ultimate product for all three compounds. 3-Methylated benzothiophenes give an additional important product which may be the sulfenobenzoic acid.
