Abstract
Here we show that the photolysis of FeCl2+ upon UV irradiation of Fe(III) at pH 0.5, yielding Cl• and then Cl −•2 , upon further reaction with Cl−, induces phenol degradation. The photolysis of FeCl2+ can be highlighted and studied as the huge interference by FeOH2+ can be avoided under such conditions. Our data allowed the assessment of a photolysis quantum yield for FeCl2+ of 5.8 × 10−4 under UVA irradiation, much lower compared to the literature value of 0.5. The discrepancy can be explained if the photolysis process is efficient but photoformed Fe2+ and Cl• undergo recombination inside the solvent cage.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support by PNRA, Progetto Antartide, INCA Consortium (GLOB-CHEM WG), Università di Torino, Ricerca Locale and CIPE, Regione Piemonte (Project A142) is gratefully acknowledged. Khanra acknowledges support from MUR (Progetto India) and Compagnia di San Paolo (Torino, Italy) for his bursary.
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Khanra, S., Minero, C., Maurino, V. et al. Phenol transformation induced by UVA photolysis of the complex FeCl2+ . Environ Chem Lett 6, 29–34 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-007-0108-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-007-0108-z