Total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons by copper and chlorine based catalysts

A new class of combustion catalyst containing copper and chlorine is described which has high activity for the total oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as CH2Cl2, CH2ClCH 2Cl, CCl4 and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1% of gas stream) into carbon oxides, HCl and Cl2, in the presence of excess air at 300-500 °C; no catalyst deactivation or loss of copper or chlorine is observed