Catalyzed dehalogenation of Delor 103 by sodium hydridoaluminate

The complete dechlorination of PCB liquid Delor 103 (42.6% Cl) to biphenyl has been effected in toluene with sodium dihydridobis(2-methoxyethoxo)alumi nate (SDMA) in the presence of catalytic amounts of Ni(II) and Co(II) 2,4-p entanedionates at elevated temperatures. Changes in PCB congeners distribut ion during dechlorination were monitored by GC(ECD) and GC/MS, and the sche me of their transformation was proposed on the basis of site selectivity ob served. A kinetic analysis of the reaction is presented. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.