Surfactant effect on the sensitized photooxidation of polychlorophenolic pesticides

Abstract

The effect of the surfactant concentration on the sensitized photooxidation of polychlorophenolic pesticides was studied in the alkaline range. Variations between one and two orders of magnitude in the rate constant of singlet oxygen quenching by polychlorophenols were found (in the range of 10⁷ to 10 M^‐1–1), employing CTAC concentrations up to 0.1 m. Co‐micellization of the phenolic compounds and electrostatic factors are discussed in order to rationalize the experimental results. From the data it arises that in this case, photooxidation of the pesticides could be partially controlled by an adequate dosage of surfactant.