Photochemical nitrosation of phenol in aqueous nitrite solution.

Abstract

Photochemical reaction of phenol with nitrite ion was investigated by ultraviolet irradiation in aqueous solution. The main product of the photochemical reaction was isolated and identified as p-nitrosophenol on the basis of spectral data and high performance liquid chromatography analysis. The production of p-nitrosophenol increased with increases in nitrite ion concentration and irradiation time. The production rate of p-nitrosophenol was enhanced under basic condition or under a nitrogen atmosphere, and was suppressed by the addition of sodium thiocyanate or under an oxygen atmospheres. These results suggested that the photo-nitrosation was caused by NO and OH radicals produced by the photolysis of nitrite ion.