Reinvestigation of the acetone degradation mechanism in dilute aqueous solution by the UV/H2O2 process

A reinvestigation of the UV/H2O2 treatment of acetone has revealed previous ly undetected intermediates (pyruvic acid, pyruvic aldehyde, and hydroxyace tone). The time profiles of the concentrations of all intermediates have be en determined, and a detailed mechanism for the degradation steps accountin g for all detected intermediates is proposed. A kinetic model was developed on the basis of the proposed mechanism, and the predicted patterns of the reactants and intermediates are in good agreement with the experimental dat a. The application of the UV/H2O2 process to the degradation of acetone res ults in the eventual mineralization of all organic compounds, as demonstrat ed by TOC measurements.