ELECTROCHEMICAL DEGRADATION OF POLYCHLORINATED-BIPHENYLS

The feasibility of electrochemical conversion of polychlorinated biphe nyls to the parent hydrocarbon in N,N-dimethylformamide was studied wi th respect to the charge and mass efficiency of the process. The proce ss was conducted in two variants, viz. as indirect conversion through pre-electrolysis of an alkali salt solution, and as direct electroredu cing splitting of the carbon-chlorine bonds. Mercury served as the wor king electrode; the suitability of other metals as cathode materials w as also examined by slow cyclic voltammetry.