Degradation products of TNT after Fenton oxidation in the presence of cyclodextrins

Abstract

Contamination of soil and water by 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) poses a significant environmental threat in locations where TNT has been produced, stored, or used in military training activities. Fenton chemistry (Fe 2+ catalyzed production of hydroxyl radicals) has demonstrated utility in the remediation of TNT but it suffers from a lack of specificity and low pH requirements. In the current study we have examined the ability of two commercially available and two synthetic cyclodextrins (CDs) with metal chelating functionalities to enhance Fenton degradation of TNT through formation of TNT/Fe/CD complexes. All CDs examined demonstrated a significant enhancement of TNT degradation rates compared to identical conditions with no CDs present. Analysis of degradation products found both oxidative and reductive pathways to be present. © 2011 American Chemical Society.