Identification and characterization of Fenton oxidation products of surfactants by ionspray mass spectrometry and solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry 1. Lauryl sulphate

The Fenton reaction for the degradation of surfactants has been investigate d and partial degradation products have been identified and characterized b y mass spectrometry for the case of lauryl sulphate, The polar soluble prod ucts were investigated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) w ith electrospray ionization (ESI), and the volatile products leaving the mi xture during the reaction were trapped by means of solid-phase microextract ion (SPME) and investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with electron and chemical ionization. The oxidation leads to the formatio n of products with hydroxyl and epoxide groups due to insertion of oxygen a toms or to aldehydes derived from the loss of the hydrophilic sulphate grou p. The extent of mineralization is dependent on peroxide and iron concentra tions. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.