Pesticide and pharmaceutical photolysis, fate of the halogens

grantor: University of TorontoThe photolysis of a variety of fluorinated and chlorinated compounds was investigated under actinic radiation. Chloroacetanilide herbicides were irradiated with the intent of identifying the extent of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) production. Conversion of metolachlor to MCA as a result of photolysis increased from 5% during direct photolysis to near 30% conversion during indirect photolysis in a synthetic field water matrix. The photodegradation of alachlor, butachlor and a model chloroacetanilide, 2-chloro-'N'-methylacetanilide in SFW was also investigated. An investigation involving fluoroanilines (FAs) was conducted with the intent of identifying monofluoroacetic acid (MFA) as a photoproduct. Direct and indirect photolysis revealed the photoproduction of fluoride from 2-FA, 3-FA, 2,4-FA and 2,6-FA, aminophenol from 3-FA and fluoronitrobenzene isomers for each of 2-FA, 4-FA, 2,4-FA and 2,6-FA. Conversion to photoproducts varied with direct vs. indirect photolysis. MFA was not identified as a photoproduct of the fluoroanilines. The photodegradation of flumetsulam, flamprop-methyl and ciprofloxacin were also investigated.M.Sc