Dehalogenation of aromatic halides to arenes can be accomplished by ho
mogeneous catalysis. Reduction likely occurs by electron transfer, and
reduction rates in many cases correlate generally with reduction pote
ntials measured electrochemically. A Ti(III) complex is proposed to be
the active catalyst, and sodium borohydride is the ultimate reducing
agent. Since hydrolyzed reduction reaction mixtures contain biodegrada
ble organic components, sodium chloride, titanium dioxide, and sodium
berate, this process may have applicability for remediation of materia
ls contaminated with aromatic halides.