ELECTROREDUCTION OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE IN MICELLAR AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS OF TRITON-SP-175

The electrochemical reduction of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) has been stud ied in micellar aqueous solutions using Triton-SP 175 which, unlike co nventional surfactants, is acid-labile. At pH <3, the hydrophobic resi due cleaves from the hydrophilic chain, leaving a solution without sur face-active properties and allowing recovery of the electrolysis produ cts from the solution. A micellar solution containing 0.1% v/v Triton- SP 175 and 1% v/v heptane as cosolvent was indefinitely stable in the presence of 0.05 M sodium sulfate as an environmentally friendly suppo rting electrolyte. Electrolytic dehalogenation to less chlorinated ben zenes was studied at a wide variety of cathodes; in all cases a quanti tative material balance of phenyl residues was achieved. Lead was the preferred cathode in terms of both the degree of dechlorination achiev ed and the current efficiency.