1. Reaction of Hydroxyl Radical with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
James S Poole
Department of Chemistry, Ball State University, Muncie IN 47306
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are a group of persistent environmental pollutants, arising from incomplete combustion of organic materials, including those derived from coal and oil. Some of these materials are suspected carcinogens.
We have developed analytical methods to determine the relative reactivity (kinetics) and selectivity (both chemo- and regio-selectivity) of hydroxyl radicals (HO•), towards aromatic hydrocarbons, in order to more fully understand how this intermediate, may assist in the remediation of PAHs in the environment (including oil spill sites).
The reactivities and selectivities observed for simple aromatic models such as benzene, toluene and naphthalene are consistent with our understanding of hydroxyl radical as an electrophilic species, and consistent with previous LFP and pulse radiolysis data. We will apply these methods to PAH systems that cannot be studied by such methods.