Abiotic reductive dehalogenation is considered to be a fast and effective way for the detoxification of various polyhalogenated compounds. This dissertation consists of four studies intended to identify materials for fast and effective dehalogenation of halogenated benzenes and flame retardants. In Study I, bimetallic particles were synthesized by chemically depositing a second metal onto micro-scale zero valent iron particles, and then characterized by Brunauer-Emmet-Teller surface area analyzer, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry. In Study II, it was found that 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-tribromobenzene were rapidly dehalogenated by Pd/Fe with a half-life of 165 minutes and 71 minutes, respectively. Benzene was the major final product. Under the same reaction conditions, 1,2,4-trifluorobenzene, however, showed no dehalogenation activity. Pd/Fe bimetallic particles were found to be effective in dehalogenation of dichlorobenzenes, chlorobenzene, dibromobenzenes and bromobenzene. The order of dechlorination rates among dichlorobenzenes was 14-DCB ≥ 13-DCB ≥ 12-DCB. The order of debromination rates among DBBs was 14-DBB ≥ 13-DBB ≥ 12-DBB. The following reactivity trend for 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene and 1,2,4-tribromobenzene was identified: Pd/Fe >> Ni/Fe > Cu/Fe > Ag/Fe ≈ Fe. A near linear correlation was found between the heat of hydrogen solution and 1/k obs for 1,2,4-TCB dechlorination/1,2,4-TBB debromination by different bimetallic particles. In Study III, it was demonstrated that the dehalogenation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)/ tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) by Pd/Fe was rapid at ambient temperature. The dehalogenation rate constant kobs of TBBPA/TCBPA was proportional to the Pd/Fe particle dosage and surface loading of Pd. Lower solution pH also favored the debromination of TBBPA. Higher initial TCBPA concentrations had a negative impact on the kobs. The kobs values measured at constant solution pH correlated linearly with the Pd mass introduced to the reactors, regardless of Pd/Fe particle dosage or Pd surface coverage. The greater amount of Pd also resulted in more complete of transformation of TBBPA/TCBPA to bisphenol-A (BPA) within a short period of time.