Aqueous chemistry of N-halo-compounds

Halogens in aqueous solution are still used world-wide as disinfectants. Du ring the process of halogenation, the substances present in water undergo s everal chemical processes, yielding relatively unstable intermediate specie s; their life-times in the medium depend on their structure and on the phys ico-chemical conditions. Several low molecular weight hydrocarbons are form ed during water halogenation, some of them potent mutagens and/or carcinoge ns. Halogenation also takes place in vivo involving the system myeloperoxid ase/H2O2/halide, which increases the relevance of such reactions and opens new research fields.