Decomposition of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals by potassium permanganate and -ray irradiation

Abe, Yasuhiro*; Takigami, Machiko; Sugino, Koji*; Taguchi, Mitsumasa; Kojima, Takuji; Umemura, Tomonari*; Tsunoda, Kinichi*

The decomposition of phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (P-EDCs), such as phenol, 4-butylphenol (BuP), and bisphenol A (BPA), in aqueous solutions by potassium permanganate (KMnO) was studied and its efficiency was compared with that of hydroxyl radicals (OH) generated by Co -ray irradiation. Various organic acids and inorganic carbon were formed in the decomposition of P-EDCs due to either KMnO or OH. They were formed via direct aromatic ring cleavage in the case of KMnO and OH addition-substitution reactions followed by aromatic ring cleavage in the case of OH. Comparing the decrease in the P-EDCs based on the number of electrons, the amount of KMnO spent to completely eliminate BuP and BPA was comparable to the amount of OH. Although three times more KMnO was needed for phenol than OH, the complete conversion of phenol into organic acids and inorganic carbon was achieved with 720M of electrons in both cases.