Radiolytic transformations of chlorinated phenols and chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids

Hydroxyl radical reactions of selected chlorinated aromatic phenols (2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol) and chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4-D methyl ester, 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid (2,4-DP)] were studied using the radiolysis techniques of pulse radiolysis and gamma radiolysis. Hydroxyl radical addition was the prominent reaction pathway for the chlorinated phenoxyacetic acids and also for the chlorinated phenols at pH values below the pK(a) of the compounds. A very prominent change in (*)OH reactivity was observed with the chlorinated phenoxide ions in high pH solutions. Two different reaction pathways were clearly present between the hydroxyl radical and the chlorinated phenoxide ions. One of the reaction pathways was suppressed when the concentration of chlorinated phenoxide ions was increased 10-fold. Amid a greater electron-withdrawing presence on the aromatic ring (higher chlorinated phenoxide ions), the hydroxyl radical reacted preferably by way of addition to the aromatic ring. Steady-state experiments utilizing gamma radiolysis also showed a substantial decrease in oxidation with an increase in pH of substrate.