Identification and characterization of Fenton oxidation products of surfactants by electrospray mass spectrometry and by solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry. 2. Fatty alcohol polyethoxy sulphates

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 fatty alcohol polyethoxy sulphates, The polar water-soluble products were investigated by Liquid chromatography/ma ss spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization ESI), and the volatile products leaving the mixture during the reaction were trapped by means of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and investigated by gas chromatography/m ass spectrometry (GC/MS) with electron and chemical ionization. The oxidati on leads to the formation of products with hydroxyl and epoxide groups due to insertion of oxygen atoms or with terminal ethoxylic moieties deriving f rom the loss of the hydrophilic sulphate group. The formation of volatile a ldehydes is also observed, corresponding to the fragmentation between hydro carbon and ethoxylic chains. The extent of mineralization is dependent on p eroxide and iron(II) concentrations. Copyright (C) 2000 John Whey & Sons, L td.