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Photoelectrochemical dechlorination of phenols

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Abstract

The photoelectrochemical reductions of 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol are studied in acetonitrile solution at platinum electrodes. The photoelectrochemical reduction follows a CE-type mechanism with the electrochemical step being the formation of dihydrogen. The photochemistry arises from the excitation of the chlorophenolate anion with subsequent loss of chloride, so suggesting green routes based on photons and electricity only, applicable in both aqueous and non-aqueous solution for the dechlorination of chlorophenols.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the EPSRC for financial support via a studentship for J. D. W.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, UK, OX1 3QZ

    Trevor J. Davies, Jay D. Wadhawan & Richard G. Compton

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  1. Trevor J. Davies
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  2. Jay D. Wadhawan
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  3. Richard G. Compton
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Davies, T.J., Wadhawan, J.D. & Compton, R.G. Photoelectrochemical dechlorination of phenols. Photochem Photobiol Sci 1, 902–906 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1039/b207317j

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