ELECTROLYTIC DECHLORINATION OF DDT IN A BICONTINUOUS MICROEMULSION

Electrolytic reduction in a bicontinuous microemulsion of surfactant, oil, and water removed aliphatic and aromatic chlorines from DDT. Micr oemulsions of didodecyldimethylammonium bromide/dodecane/water used wi th graphite felt cathodes provided a less expensive, less toxic approa ch to DDT electrolysis compared to using conventional organic solvents and metal electrodes. Good rates of aliphatic dechlorination were ach ieved by applying -1 V vs. Ag/AgBr and using the catalyst Co(bpy)3(2+) , but the best yield (34% in 3 hr) of the fully dechlorinated hydrocar bon 1,1-diphenylethane was achieved by using -2 V with oxygen in the r eaction medium.