SLOW COMBUSTION OF PENTACHLOROPHENOL IN TOLUENE

Upon 'lean' slow combustion of 2 mol % of PCP in toluene at 700 degree s C, the outflow contains a > 10(2) fold excess of Cl-free phenol on r emaining PCP. Next to dibenzofuran (DF) - the condensation product of 2 phenoxy radicals - (1, 2, 3, 4-) TCDF is observed, but almost no TCD D. The TCDF is explained to arise from a phenoxy and a pentachlorophen oxy radical; reaction between (chloro) phenoxy radicals and (chloro) p henols - as in the 'Shaub and Tsang' mechanism - appear to be of minor importance. The significance of these results for the formation in in cinerators of lower chlorinated DFs and DDs - which could be precursor s to PCDD/Fs generated in the cooling zone - is also discussed. Copyri ght (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd