Hydrodechlorination of Alachlor Using a Molecular Electrocatalyst

Abstract

Reductive hydrodechlorination is an effective approach to enhance the degradation rate of chlorinated herbicides such as alachlor, which are frequently detected in ground and surface water. In this study, a cobalt porphyrin complex with eight triazole units and alkyl chains, CoPor8T, was synthesized to catalyze the reductive hydrodechlorination of alachlor. Mechanistic study was performed using a combination of voltametric, spectroscopic, and electrospectroscopic techniques. A conversion yield of 84 % at −1.8 V vs. Fc/Fc+ and chloride ion concentration of 96 % was obtained after electrocatalysis. This work provides a new avenue of using molecular catalysts for electrocatalytic chlorinated herbicide remediation.

Molecular inspired electrocatalyst materials for environmental remediation

“…Reduction of Co( ii ) to Co( i ) is followed by a ligand-centered reduction that promotes chloride elimination and oxidative addition of the dehalogenated ligand to the reactive Co( i ) center, which is eliminated after a two electron reduction. 29 Similarly, an electrografted [Co(bpy(CH 2 OH) 2 ) 2 ] 2+ complex can remove alachlor at −1.0 V vs. SHE with a removal efficiency of 95% after 40 min of electrolysis. Total organic carbon (TOC) measurements show the selective dechlorination reaction of alachlor in the presence of other chlorinated species.…”

“…27,28 Moreover, the reactivity of molecular inspired electrocatalysts is strongly influenced by the ligand type, including tetrapyrrole, salen, ethylenediamine, polypyridyl, amine groups, aromatic rings, among others. 29 Interestingly, molecular-based electrocatalysts offer an unique advantage in providing insights into the catalytic mechanism, as the metal site within the molecular system is presumed to be the active site. In this review, we aim to provide a summary of recent developments in molecular-inspired electrocatalysts for the degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated compounds, nitrate/nitrite, poly-and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).…”