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

This work involves electrolysis of nitrotoluene congeners, which are persistent pollutants that enter the environment as a consequence of their manufacture 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 mass balance. Preliminary experiments were also carried out to find methods of removing the electrolysis products from solution by oxidative oligomerization. The most satisfactory method was partial reoxidation at a Ti/IrO2 anode, suggesting an overall remediation technology in which reduction is followed by reoxidation of the spent catholyte in the anode compartment of the same electrolytic cell.