Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Microwave-assisted Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reactions for the Synthesis of Functionalized Naphthalenes/Solvatochromic Dyes
Published on: April 1, 2013
Sonochemical decomposition of dibenzothiophene in aqueous solution
1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark 19716, USA.
Abstract:
Dibenzothiophene is decomposed rapidly by sonication in aqueous solution. Decomposition of dibenzothiophene follows a first-order reaction kinetics. The rate constant was found to increase with increasing ultrasonic energy intensity, temperature, and pH and decrease with increasing initial dibenzothiophene concentration. The activation energy was 12.6 kJ mol in the temperature range of 15-50 degrees C, suggesting a diffusion-controlled reaction. Hydroxydibenzothiophenes and dihydroxydibenzothiophenes were identified as reaction intermediates. It is proposed that dibenzothiophene is oxidized by OH radical to hydroxy-dibenzothiophenes and then to dihydroxy-dibenzothiophenes. Kinetic analysis suggests that approximately 72% of the dibcnzothiophene decomposition occurred via OH radical addition. A pathway and a kinetic model for the sonochemical decomposition of dibenzothiophene in aqueous solution are proposed.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation and Reactions of Thiols
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Sulfonation of Benzene
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution of Aryldiazonium Salts: Aromatic SN1
In the Sandmeyer reaction, for example, the diazonio group is replaced by a chloro, bromo, or cyano...
Benzene to 1,4-Cyclohexadiene: Birch Reduction Mechanism
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene

