US EPA

1427356 

Technical Report 

Preliminary investigation of sensitized photolysis as a method for the destruction of herbicides derived from 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 

Reagan, MT 

1974 

PESTAB/76/1447 

Tech 

19 references 

PESTAB. The use of photosensitized decomposition in aqueous solution as a possible means of disposing of excess stocks of 2,4-D was investigated. Under the conditions of the study photodecomposition of 2,4-D was more than three times faster with uranyl ion than with riboflavin. Photolysis of 2,4-D can be effected with ferric ion as a catalyst, but only under heterogeneous conditions. In methanol solution the 2,4-D octyl ester was quickly saponified by adding a small excess of aqueous potassium hydroxide. The appropriate dilution of the reaction mixture and the addition of riboflavin sensitizer permitted photodecomposition of the 2,4-D which was thus produced. Decomposition of 2,4-D octyl ester in isopropyl alcohol with triphenylamine, with riboflavin, with Michler's ketone, and with propiophenone was not successful.