The reduction of vinclozoline, 3-(3,5 -dichlorophenyl)-5-methyl-5-vinyl-1,3
-oxazolidine-2,4-dione, was studied in acetonitrile by electrochemical imp
edance and by electrolysis combined with GC/MS identification of products.
The electron transfer reaction was coupled with subsequent chemical reactio
ns yielding two final products at -2.35 V. The main decomposition pathways
included the elimination of the hetero-ring, which produced chloroaniline,
whereas the cleavage of one chlorine atom was a much slower process. The ki
netic parameters of both chemical processes correlated reasonably well with
the observed yield of dichloroaniline and dechlorovinclozoline. (C) 2000 E
lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.