Electrochemical treatment of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and related compounds

This work involves electrolysis of nitrotoluene congeners, which are persis tent pollutants that enter the environment as a consequence of their manufa cture and use as explosives. Reduction to aminotoluenes occurred with high current efficiency at a variety of cathodes, at potentials -0.5 to -1 V vs SCE. The products were formed in high chemical yield and with excellent mas s balance. Preliminary experiments were also carried out to find methods of removing the electrolysis products from solution by oxidative oligomerizat ion. The most satisfactory method was partial reoxidation at a Ti/IrO2 anod e, suggesting an overall remediation technology in which reduction is follo wed by reoxidation of the spent catholyte in the anode compartment of the s ame electrolytic cell.