HOMOGENEOUS PHOTOOXIDATION OF PHENOLS - INFLUENCE OF METALS

The role of metal ions and their complexes in the photo-oxidation of p henols in homogeneous solution is reviewed and analysed. The mechanist ic aspects of the data related to the photo-oxidation and photodegrada tion of phenols in a pure homogeneous phase, or via homogeneous pathwa ys in a heterogeneous system, are discussed. The environmental importa nce (pollutant photodegradation and photomineralization) of metal-cont aining systems (mainly copper) is stressed (including Fenton and photo -Fenton reactions), and the future prospects in the field based on Mn/M(n-1+) photoredox cycling are described. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S .A.