PHOTOINITIATED DEGRADATION OF 4-CHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID BY HYDROGEN-PEROXIDE - PHOTOCATALYTIC EFFECTS OF FE(III) COMPOUNDS

Photolysis of 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA) and the effect of Fe( III) compounds on photochemical oxidative degradation of 4-CPA by hydr ogen peroxide were studied. Whereas degradation initiated by 254 nm ra diation is affected only moderately by the presence of Fe(III) compoun ds the reaction initiated by VIS radiation (high-pressure sodium lamp) is photocatalyzed and photosensitized by Fe(III) compounds very marke dly. 4-Chlorophenol (4-CP) and phenol were detected as the main degrad ation intermediates. Formation of phenol prevails in the absence of ox idation agent, 4-CP is the main product in the presence of hydrogen pe roxide.