The photosensitized oxidative degradation of the three pesticides : 1,
1-dichloro 2,2-bis (4-ethylphenyl)ethane ''perthan'', 3,5-dimethyl-4-m
ethylthiophenyl-N-methylcarbamate ''mercaptodimetur'' and 2((ethylthio
)methyl)phenyl-N-methylcarbamate ''ethiofencarb'' was studied in aceto
nitrile/water mixture as a solvent with anthraquinone as a photosensit
izer. The photoproducts obtained and the reduction potential of the ph
otoexcited sensitizer are in agreement with a primary mechanism involv
ing an electron-transfer from the pesticide to the excited photosensit
izer. These results show that an electron-acceptor photosensitizer may
increase the rate of photodegradation and help to completely remove t
he pollutant.