Potential applications of solar reactions photocatalysed by the decatungstate anion

Two potential applications of photocatalysed reactions in the presence of t he decatungstate anion W10O324- under solar ligth irradiation were explored . Firstly, we investigated the possibility offered by alkane fonctionalisat ion. By irradiation with [(tBut)(4)N](4)W10O32, cyclohexane was converted i nto cyclohexanone and cyclohexane hydroperoxide, which give cyclohexanol af ter reduction. a small amount of polyoxygenated products is also formed. Se condly, we studied the potential of Na4W10O32 to act as a photocatalyst for water depollution processes. Several phenols and pesticides, especially at razine, were used as substrates and the results were compared to those obta ined in the presence of TiO2. Since neither TiO2 nor Na4W10O32 lead to the total mineralisation of atrazine, we made an attempt for integrating photo- and biodegradation processes in order to achieve the total mineralisation of the pollutant.