Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans as products of photodegradation of chlorophenols

Results of the study into photodegradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol in aqueous solutions have been presented. Quantum yields and rate constants of the reactions were determined. Intermediate products were identified by GC/MS method. The experiments confirmed formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in photochemical reactions. The findings showed that formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, and mainly octachlorodibenzo-p- -dioxin, is privileged in the studied reactions when compared to polychlorinated dibenzofurans regardless of the number of chlorine atoms in the molecule. It was also established that increase in the number of chlorine atoms in a molecule resulted in higher chemical efficiency of the reaction.