KineticStudy-UniversityofIdaho.pptVIP

Kinetics and Mechanism of Xenobiotic Degradation Induced by Dioxygen Activation Christina Noradoun University of Idaho Chemistry Department Moscow, ID 83843-2343 Outline Introduction Environmental Problem The Importance of Dioxygen Activation Biological vs. Chemical Activation General Reaction Scheme Degradation Kinetics and Reaction Products Xenobiotic: Environmental Pollutants Chlorinated phenols Organophosphorus and nitrated compounds EDTA Mechanism of Degradation Conclusions Research Problem Chlorinated Pollutants PCBs (polycholorinated biphenyls) 290 million pounds are located in landfills and storage facilities in the USA PCP (Pentachlorophenol, wood preservation) Pesticides Aldrin/Dieldrin (termiticide, banned 1974) Chlordane (EPA banned sales 1988) DDT (EPA banned all public uses 1972)l Heptachlor (banned 1983) Hexptachlorobenzene (banned 1984) Incineration: Up in Smoke Dioxins The term “dioxin” signifies the family of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans The most toxic subgroup is chlorinated in the 2,3,7,8 positions (ex. 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-benzo-p-dioxin) These compounds can form in combustion of chlorine-containing organic materials Alternative Available Methods Biological Oxidation Often incomplete short catalytic lifetime Not applicable to high pollutant concentrations thermal sensitivity Chemical Oxidation These chemical oxidation techniques are successful at oxidizing nerve agents although there are drawbacks Peroxygen Oxidizers perborate, peracetic acid, m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid In complete oxidation Caustic Bleaching Agents In 1917 the Germans used bleaching powder to neutralize mustard agent. Requires solubilization therefore large quantities of solvent that must be dealt with Supercritical H2O Material and energy costs are large when considering any large-scale demilitarization processes Overall Goal The destruction or neutralization of xenobiotics, including nerve agents and chlorinated pesticides using green oxidati