Microwave driven ultraviolet photo-decomposition of organophosphate species

A novel beaker shaped electrodeless ultraviolet lamp, excited by the radiat ion of a conventional microwave oven, has been employed in the breakdown of organophosphate compounds in preparation for colorimetric phosphate determ ination. This new approach offers a highly rapid method of organophosphate decomposition prior to their analysis, with complete breakdown being achiev ed within 3 min. When evaluated using a number of inorganic and organophosp hate compounds, quantitative release of phosphate from a carbon oxygen bond was achieved. Photo-oxidation of the organic triphosphate adenosine 5'-tri phosphate results in the release of triphosphate that can then be broken do wn to three orthophosphate units by acid hydrolysis.